for all (one's) (something)

for all

1. To the degree or extent that; insofar as. We might as well have been educated by dogs for all the good their teaching did! For all I know, she could be living in Timbuktu by now! Don't panic. For all Mom knows, we've been in our rooms all night.

2. In spite of; notwithstanding. For all our efforts to stop the bill, it still cleared both the House and the Senate with ease. For all our work on this project, management is still thinking about shutting it down. And what did I get for all my years of loyalty? Laid off!

See also: all, for

for all (one's) (something)

In spite of the negative trait or issue the speaker is discussing. In this construction, the speaker indicates a specific person, followed by a problem or shortcoming they have experienced or exhibit. Yeah, she's not remotely punctual, and she gripes a lot, but for all her shortcomings, Elisa is a really great manager—her employees just love her. For all our difficulties buying a house, we still managed to get one that we absolutely love. A: "For all your complaining, I thought you guys had a terrible vacation." B: "Eh, it was fine in the end."

See also: all, for

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

for all someone's problems

in spite of a person's problems (as specified). For all her complaining, she still seems to be a happy person. For all my aches and pains, I'm still rather healthy.

See also: all, for, problem

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

for all

1. Also, for all that. In spite of, notwithstanding. For example, For all her protests she still loved the attention, or He's too old for the part but he did a good job for all that. [Early 1300s]

2. for all one cares or knows . So far as one knows; also, one doesn't really care or know. These phrases are employed like a negative. For example, He can buy ten houses for all I care, meaning one doesn't care at all, or For all I know she's gone to China, meaning one doesn't really know where she is. [Mid-1700s]

See also: all, for

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.

for all —

in spite of —.

1989 Independent For all their cruel, corrupt and reckless vices, the Maharajahs were worshipped as gods by tens of thousands of their subjects.

See also: all, for

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017