every

at every turn

if something unpleasant happens at every turn, it happens every time you try to do something. Throughout his life, he felt himself stifled by his father at every turn.

See also: turn

be every inch something

to be a particular kind of person in every way. He looked every inch the slick, city businessman.

See also: inch

Every cloud has a silver lining.

something that you say which means that there is something good even in an unpleasant situation. As the trip's been cancelled I'll be able to go to the match this Saturday. Every cloud has a silver lining.

See also: cloud, has, silver

Every dog has its day.

something that you say which means that everyone is successful during some period in their life. He'll get that promotion eventually. Every dog has its day.

See also: day, dog, has

every man jack (of us/them) (old-fashioned, old-fashioned)

every single person. If you sack me the others will walk out too, every man jack of them. Every last man of us is ready to fight for their country.

See also: jack, man

every nook and cranny

every part of a place. This house is where I grew up. I know every nook and cranny of it.

See also: cranny, nook

every now and again/then

sometimes. Every now and then I go to town and spend loads of money.

See also: again, now, then

every other

happening or existing regularly on every second one of the things you are counting. Our discussion group meets every other Friday at eight o'clock. Every other shelf on the bookcase was full of books.

See also: other

every time someone turns around/round (informal)

something that you say when you think something happens very often or too often. Every time I turn around she's giving me some new rule about recycling the trash.

See also: around, round, time, turn

every trick in the book

every clever or dishonest way that you know to achieve something that you want. He used every trick in the book to get her to sign the contract. (often + to do something)

See also: book, trick

every which way (American & Australian, informal)

in many different directions. The documents lay scattered every which way on his desk.

See also: way

have a finger in every pie

to be involved in and have influence over many different activities, often in a way that other people do not approve of. You can't make a decision on any kind of funding without consulting him - he has a finger in every pie.

See also: finger, pie

It's every man for himself.

something that you say which means that everyone in a particular situation is trying to do what is best for themselves and no one is trying to help anyone else. It might be a civilized place to shop at other times but come the January sales, it's every man for himself.

See also: himself, it's, man

strain every nerve

to try extremely hard to do something. I was straining every nerve to catch what they were saying but they were sitting just a bit too far away from me.

See also: nerve, strain

There's one born every minute. (humorous)

something that you say about someone who you think has been very stupid. 'He left a window open and then wondered why he'd been burgled!' 'There's one born every minute, isn't there?'

See also: born, minute

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at every turn

every place or every time that something is possible. Since the divorce she has avoided the press at every turn.

See also: turn

every bit as

exactly as. The Euro may become every bit as attractive and secure an investment as the US dollar.

Usage notes: always followed by an adjective, as in the example

See also: bit

every inch the something

completely like something. He looked every inch the slick, city businessman. From his white running shoes to his baseball cap, he looks every inch a Californian.

Usage notes: used with verbs like look, seem, and be

See also: inch

every inch of somewhere

all of a place. Cassandra knows every inch of Boston. A layer of grease covered every inch of the engine room.

See also: inch

every last

each. Every last bit of the meal was delicious.

Usage notes: used for emphasis: The lawyer explained every last detail of the contract.

See also: last

every man for himself

each person here should do what is best for themselves. In the world of politics, it's every man for himself.

Usage notes: usually used with it's, as in the example

See also: himself, man

every nook and cranny

every part of a place. Law books were stuffed into every nook and cranny of his office.

See also: cranny, nook

every other something

omitting the next but including the one after that, as a series or repetition of something. Our discussion group meets every other Friday at eight o'clock. It seems like every other shop in the village is a cafe.

See also: other

every so often

sometimes. We still get together for lunch every so often.

(every) now and then

See also: often

every time you turn around

surprisingly often. Every time you turn around, another building is going up and another city garden has disappeared.

See also: around, time, turn

every Tom, Dick, and Harry

anyone. Draw the curtains or we'll have every Tom, Dick, and Harry peeking in the window.

Usage notes: usually said about any person you do not know or think is unimportant, and sometimes used in the form any Tom, Dick, or Harry: I want a qualified plumber to do the job, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

See also: harry

every trick in the book

every way possible. He tried every trick in the book to get her to sign the contract.

Usage notes: usually said about an attempt to deceive someone

See also: book, trick

every which way

in many different directions. The forest fire spread, and frightened animals were running every which way.

See also: way

a finger in every pie

involved in or influencing many different activities. You could say that this town wouldn't function without him, because he has a finger in every pie.

Usage notes: often used to show disapproval of someone whose influence or power is too great

See also: finger, pie

hang on (someone's) every word

to listen very carefully to what someone says. He hung on every word I said. Larry only likes girls who hang on his every word.

See also: hang, word