all wool and a yard wide
1. Of a person, very honorable. Of course Paul reported the crime he witnessed—he's all wool and a yard wide. I've always known Sara to be all wool and a yard wide, so I'm not surprised she returned the missing wallet. I don't trust that guy. It just doesn't seem like he's all wool and a yard wide, if you know what I mean.
2. Of an object, high quality. That product already broke! It's not all wool and a yard wide, that's for sure. I think you'll be very happy with this mixer. I have one, and it's always been all wool and a yard wide. You can't charge people $200 for a product that isn't all wool and a yard wide!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
all wool and a yard wide
Fig. trustworthy and genuinely good. (A description of good quality wool cloth.) Mary's a fine human being—all wool and a yard wide. I won't hear a word against Bill. He's all wool and a yard wide.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
all wool and a yard wide
Genuine, not fake; of excellent quality; also, honorable. For example, You can count on Ned-he's all wool and a yard wide. This metaphorical term alludes to a length of highly valued pure-wool cloth that measures exactly a yard (and not an inch less). [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
all wool and a yard wide
of excellent quality; thoroughly sound. Literally, this expression refers to cloth of the finest quality.
1974 Anthony Gilbert A Nice Little Killing No one will ever catch her…with an alibi all wool and a yard wide.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
all wool and a yard wide
Genuine, not a sham. The expression comes from the yard-goods industry, where a seller would claim that a piece of cloth was 100 percent wool and measured fully a yard, in contrast to inferior material and short measures.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer