اصطلاح " all the world and his wife" یعنی چی؟

The phrase “all the world and his wife” is an idiom that means everyone or a great crowd of people, especially in a particular place or at a particular time. It is often used to exaggerate the number of people present or involved in something, or to express annoyance or surprise at the large turnout. It is mainly used in British and Australian English, and it is first recorded in a book by Jonathan Swift in 17381.

Some examples of how to use this idiom are:

• I went to the mall yesterday, but it was so crowded. All the world and his wife were there, shopping for the holidays.

• You don’t have to invite all the world and his wife to your wedding. Just invite the people who matter to you.

• She’s so popular, she knows all the world and his wife.