All over but the shouting
The outcome is a certainty, as in When Jim hit the ball over the fence, it was all over but the shouting. The term’s first use in print, in 1842, was by Welsh sportswriter Charles James Apperley, but some authorities believe it originated even earlier in the United States for a close political race. Today it is applied to any contest. A common British version is all over bar the shouting.
Read Also:
- All over it
all over it adverb phrase Taking care of something quickly and efficiently: Did you contact him? I’m all over it.
- All over one
In close physical contact. For example, Whenever I visit, that dog of Jane’s is all over me. [ Early 1900s ] Also see: have it all over one
- All over the map
all over the map adverb phrase Very unfocused and inconsistent; confused: His answers are all over the map/ But otherwise, you were all over the ballpark
- All over someone
all over someone adjective phrase Very affectionate; eagerly amorous: The wife went to get some popcorn and the husband was all over me ggressively smothering or battering; assaulting: They broke through the line and were all over the quarterback
- All over the place
Also, all over town or the world . See under all over , def. 1.