{"id":3192,"date":"2022-05-05T21:18:26","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T21:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3192"},"modified":"2022-05-05T21:18:26","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T21:18:26","slug":"everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything but the Kitchen Sink \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that they are overdoing things? Maybe you want to tell them that you\u2019re giving it everything you\u2019ve got? If so, you could use the expression \u201ceverything but the kitchen sink<\/em>.\u201d This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ceverything but the kitchen sink<\/em>\u201d means that you\u2019re taking every possible solution you can think of in a situation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can also refer to overdoing things, such as packing or preparing your household. If someone is being pedantic or overly prepared with their actions, the phrase is a great way to tell them to reconsider what they are doing.<\/p>\n

If you tell someone that you\u2019re throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the problem. It means that you\u2019re out of options, and you don\u2019t have any idea how to proceed.<\/p>\n

Usually, the saying means that you\u2019re giving it your best effort, but nothing seems to work in your favor.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cWow, why do you need two suitcases for a weekend trip? Are you taking everything but the kitchen sink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMan, that prospect was tough. I threw everything but the kitchen sink at them, and they still refused to sign the deal. I need to work on my closing skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe threw everything but the kitchen sink into her performance; it was admirable to see her trying so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI fought the number two contender last night. He has some real skills. I threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and couldn\u2019t find a gap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis plan covers all the bases. We\u2019re throwing everything but the kitchen sink at it to secure the best outcome possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing everything we can right now to stop the cyberattack. We\u2019re throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the exploit, but the hackers keep bombarding us with a DDOS attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s throw everything but the kitchen sink at this problem. I want it solved by tomorrow, or you\u2019re all fired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ceverything but the kitchen sink\u201d comes from the early 1900s. The first use of the saying in print comes from The Syracuse Herald in 1918.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything but the kitchen sink\u201d went on to become a popular saying during the Second World War. The phrase would describe how allies would \u201cthrow everything but the kitchen sink\u201d at enemies to force them to retreat or surrender.<\/p>\n

The variant \u201ceverything but the kitchen stove\u201d might be the original origin of the saying. This expression first appeared in the Jeffersonville National Democrat in 1894.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear when the saying changed to its modern nomenclature. However, the phrase went on to integrate into modern language, and it\u2019s a common phrase used today to describe over-doing something.<\/p>\n