whole ball of wax
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Noun[edit]
- (idiomatic, slang) The entire or overall plan, concept or action.
- 1975, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift [Avon ed., 1976, p. 380]:
- Of course I have to take a little advantage. After all, I'm the guy who puts the thing together—the whole ball of wax.
- The whole ball of wax will be viewed in 5 minutes.
- In my opinion the whole ball of wax depends on what she'll say.
- 1975, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift [Avon ed., 1976, p. 380]:
- (idiomatic, slang) Everything of a similar or related nature; everything necessary for a particular purpose.
- We've got pots, pans, the food and cooking utensils—the whole ball of wax.
See also[edit]
- for a list of other "whole ___" terms that mean "everything / the whole thing", see the whole nine yards