1. Paying overly close attention to someone or something, often accompanied by unwelcome physical closeness as well. In this usage, "all over" is followed by a person. I had barely walked in the door when reporters were all over me for a story.You were all over your sister about her eating habits, but you start pouting when I point out that you had a cupcake for dinner last night!Man, the boss is all over me for that report. Have you got it printed yet?
2. Scattered in many locations in a particular area or place. How can anyone sit down when your clothes are all over the room?How did you not know about the show? There were posters all over campus.Oh boy, there's trash all over the street, thanks to that wind last night.
3. Done. Often said when an outcome is no longer possible. It's all over—there's no way we'll score a goal to tie it in the last seconds.The party's all over now—people started leaving an hour ago.It's all over with me and Diane. We just fought too much.
Self-absorbed or smug. Ugh, Bill has been all over himself since getting promoted, don't you think?Those kids are all over themselves after getting accepted to Harvard.Quit acting so superior, huh? No one wants to work with someone who's all over himself.
Paying overly close attention to someone or something, often accompanied by unwelcome physical closeness as well. I had barely walked in the door when reporters were all over me for a story.You were all over your sister about her eating habits, but you start pouting when I point out that you had a cupcake for dinner last night!Man, the boss is all over me for that report. Have you got it printed yet?
1. Very interested in something. My daughter is all over tennis these days, so I just signed her up for some lessons.Henry could recommend a good book to you, he's all over mystery novels.I can't believe Samantha was all over ballet as a little kid. She's such a tomboy these days!
2. Actively doing or working on something. You need this printed out? No worries, I'm all over it.If we could find a more efficient way to conduct business on the Internet, every major online retailer would be all over it in no time.A: "Did anyone go and pick up the envelopes?" B: "Yep, Molly's all over it."
found in every place; available in all locations. (*Typically: be ~; Spread ~.) The window shattered and shards of glass were all over the place.There are ants all over the cake!
1. Everywhere. The phrase may be used alone, as in I've looked all over for that book, or The very thought of poison ivy makes me itch all over. In addition it can be used as a preposition, meaning "throughout," as in The news spread all over town. [Early 1600s] Also see far and wide.
2. In all respects, as in He is his Aunt Mary all over. Charles Lamb had this usage in a letter (1799) about a poem: "The last lines ... are Burns all over." [Early 1700s]
3. Also, all over again. Again from the beginning. For example, They're going to play the piece all over, or Do you mean you're starting all over again? [Mid-1500s]
4. Also, all over with. Quite finished, completed, as in By the time I arrived the game was all over, or Now that she passed the test, her problems are all over with. This phrase uses over in the sense of "finished," a usage dating from the 1300s. Also see all over but the shouting; have it (all over), def. 4.
1 everywhere: We looked all over for the ring. ♢ The news was all over the office within minutes. 2 what you would expect of the person mentioned: That sounds like my sister all over.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.