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all over the place
01
in many different locations or scattered over an area without a specific pattern
Dialect
Collocation
Informal
Examples
The toddler 's toys were scattered all over the place, making it difficult to walk without tripping.
all over the place
01
in a disorganized and untidy way
IdiomInformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "all over the place" and when to use it?
The idiom "all over the place" originated as a colloquial expression to describe something that lacks coherence, consistency, or organization. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the notion of physical movement or spatial dispersion. The phrase "all over the place" figuratively conveys the idea of something being scattered, disorganized, or lacking focus, often used to describe thoughts, actions, or situations that lack a clear or cohesive direction.
Examples
Her presentation was confusing; she jumped from one topic to another, and her ideas were all over the place.
