whole ball of wax

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

whole ball of wax

1. (idiomatic, slang) The entire or overall plan, concept or action.

   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.

   • 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 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.

2. (idiomatic, slang) Everything of a similar or related nature; everything necessary for a particular purpose.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:everything

   We've got pots, pans, the food and cooking utensils—the whole ball of wax.