by all means

1. Certainly; absolutely. By all means, come to our party if you end up being free on Saturday night! I had no idea she had a boyfriend. Yes, by all means, she should invite him to Thanksgiving dinner. By all means, stop by if you are able. I know Grandma would love to see you.

2. In any way possible, regardless of risk or expense. There will be a lot of people at this event, but we need to court that one big investor by all means. The doctors tried to save my husband by all means, but his injuries were just too severe. I'm worried about how I came across in that interview, so I need to meet with the reporter by all means before it goes to print.

See also: all, by, mean

by all means

certainly; yes; absolutely. I will attempt to get there by all means. Bob: Can you come to dinner tomorrow? Jane: By all means. I'd love to.

See also: all, by, mean

by all means

1. Also, by all manner of means. In every possible way, as in I plan to make use of him by all means. [Late 1400s]

2. Also, by all manner of means. Without fail, at any cost, as in Losing the contract is to be avoided by all means. [c. 1600]

3. Certainly, yes, as in Are you coming tonight?-By all means, I'll be there. [Late 1600s] Also see by any means; by no means.

See also: all, by, mean

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.

by ˈall means

(spoken) used to say that you are very willing for somebody to have something or do something: ‘Can I smoke?’ ‘By all means.’ ♢ ‘Do you think I could borrow this dictionary?’ ‘Yes, by all means.’

See also: all, by, mean

by all means

Without fail; certainly.

See also: all, by, mean

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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