We love to put "All" in front of words just like we like to add an "A" to some!
All-about (adv)--Scattered; in disorder. "I found those toys scattered all-about the house."
All-alone (adv)--Quite alone. "He is now living all-alone since his wife died."
All-along (adv)--Throughout; continually; from the beginning. "Well, I have known that she was a spoiled brat all-along."
All-but (adv)--Almost. "Have a little patience! We are all-but there."
All-fours (noun)--To go on the hands and feet like an animal. "Look at those kids running around like horses on all-fours.
All-over (adv)--In every part; everywhere; over the whole body. "He is his father all-over!" (He is exactly like his father.)
All sorts of (noun)--Expert; excellent; expert in many ways. "She is all sorts of a good cook."
All-to (adv)--Excessively; out and out. "That girl out played that boy all-to pieces."
The first five examples are (or were) in common usage in the UK, or in my family at any rate.
ReplyDeleteDave K
Dave, It is so wonderful to have a friend in the UK that can give us info about life across the pond! :)
ReplyDeleteAll gone: more intensive than just gone. It—money, food, whatever—wasn't just gone; it was all gone.
ReplyDeleteYes Becky! I didn't remember that one!
ReplyDeleteHuh. Funny. I never really associated these with Virginia speech patterns. I've spoken like that my entire life and never really realized others DON'T use those phrases. :shrug: They sound absolutely like "home" to my ear. :o)
ReplyDeleteRach, I know what you mean! I always assume that everyone talks the way I do until someone points out that I am saying something weird!
ReplyDeleteYep Guilty too : ) I use them ALL : )
ReplyDelete