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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
Example
The toddler 's toys were scattered all over the place, making it difficult to walk without tripping.
The paint splatters were all over the place, evidence of the enthusiastic art project in progress.
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.
Example
Her presentation was confusing; she jumped from one topic to another, and her ideas were all over the place.
The team's performance was inconsistent; they were all over the place, struggling to maintain a steady level of play.
