Everything But the Kitchen Sink: Meaning and Definitions
- The idiom “everything but the kitchen sink” refers to including an excessive amount or nearly everything, whether necessary or not.
- It’s often used to describe a situation where someone has brought or included far more than is required.
- This phrase can be used to describe an excessive amount of physical items, such as in packing for a trip.
- It can also be used metaphorically to describe an overabundance of non-physical items, such as details, features, or arguments.
- Furthermore, it may be used to highlight the overwhelming or cluttered nature of something due to the inclusion of too many elements.
Everything But the Kitchen Sink Synonyms
- The whole kit and caboodle
- Everything including the kitchen sink
- Everything and the kitchen sink
Example Sentences
- She packed everything but the kitchen sink for her weekend camping trip.
- The new software update includes everything but the kitchen sink, making it quite overwhelming for some users.
- He included everything but the kitchen sink in his research paper, making it rather lengthy and complex.
- For the potluck, she brought everything but the kitchen sink, which was appreciated by all.
- His travel bag was stuffed with everything but the kitchen sink.
The Origins and Etymology of Everything But the Kitchen Sink
The phrase “everything but the kitchen sink” is believed to have originated during World War II, where everything possible was used to contribute to the war effort, except for the kitchen sink.
Over time, the phrase evolved to mean including nearly everything, regardless of its necessity.
You can read more about it on Wiktionary.
