all hands and the cook

all hands and the cook

Everyone available, even people who might not usually be involved. Traditionally, "all hands and the cook on deck" were called to help in the case of emergency on a ship. We're going to need all hands and the cook to pitch in if we're going to get this project done by the deadline.

See also: all, and, cook, hand

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.