PhrasesHub

Full to the gunwales

    Definitions

      • Completely full
        To describe a situation where something is completely full or overflowing, often used in a figurative sense to describe a person who is very busy or occupied

      • Drunk
        To describe someone who is heavily intoxicated or drunk, often used in a humorous or light-hearted way

      • Overloaded or overwhelmed
        To describe a situation or person that is overwhelmed by too much work or responsibility, often used in a negative sense to imply that the workload is too much to handle

    Examples of Full to the gunwales

    • The store was full to the gunwales with eager shoppers during the holiday sale.

      The phrase "full to the gunwales" is used to describe an object which is completely full, filled to its maximum capacity. In this example, the store is overflowing with shoppers, just like a ship's sides (gunwales) are filled to the brim with water or cargo.

    • The conference room was full to the gunwales with important clients, all eager to discuss business deals.

      Similar to the previous example, this idiom is used to describe an overwhelming number of people occupying a space. In this scenario, the conference room is bursting with influential clients, much like a ship's sides are packed with goods or water.

    • The auditorium was full to the gunwales with students, all enthusiastic about the guest speaker's presentation.

      This idiom is also used to describe a space that is completely full with people or things, with no room to spare. Here, the auditorium is overflowing with passionate students, just as a ship's sides may be stuffed with passengers or cargo.

    • The restaurant was full to the gunwales with delicious aromas, making our mouths water.

      While less commonly used than the previous examples, "full to the gunwales" can also be applied to non-physical fillings, such as fragrances or sounds. This example shows how the air inside the restaurant is filled with inviting scents, much like a ship's sides might be laden with pleasing scents or sounds.

    • The dining room was full to the gunwales during the holiday dinner.

      In this example, "full to the gunwales" means that the dining room was completely full, with no empty seats or space left. The expression "full to the gunwales" comes from the idea that a ship's gunwales (the top edge of the ship's sides) would be submerged if it were filled to capacity with cargo, passengers, or water. Metaphorically, being "full to the gunwales" indicates that a place or thing is packed beyond maximum capacity.

    • The concert hall was full to the gunwales on the night of the famous singer's performance.

      In this example, "full to the gunwales" means that the concert hall was overflowing with people, as there were no seats left available for the concertgoers. The expression "full to the gunwales" suggests that the hall was so crammed with people that it was nearly impossible to move or find a spot to stand.

    • The carnival was full to the gunwales with excited children and adults alike.

      In this example, "full to the gunwales" indicates that the carnival was completely crowded and packed with people. The expression suggests that the venue was so full that it was almost impossible to walk around or find any attractions that weren't already occupied.

    • The football stadium was full to the gunwales as the home team played against their fierce rivals for the championship.

      In this example, "full to the gunwales" means that the football stadium was jam-packed with fans, supporters, and well-wishers who had turned up to watch the exciting match. The expression "full to the gunwales" suggests that the stadium was so crammed with people that it was almost impossible to see or hear anything beyond the immediate vicinity.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "full to the gunwales" has a few different meanings, all of which revolve around a sense of being completely full or overwhelmed. It can be used to describe a physical state, such as a container or room being completely full, as well as a figurative state, such as a person being overwhelmed with work or drunk.

    In the first meaning, "full to the gunwales" is used to describe a physical state of being completely full or overflowing. This can be used to describe a variety of objects, from a container to a room, and implies that there is no room for anything else. In the second meaning, the idiom is used to describe someone who is heavily intoxicated or drunk. This usage is often used in a light-hearted or humorous way to describe someone who has had too much to drink.

    The third meaning of "full to the gunwales" is more figurative and is used to describe a situation or person who is overloaded or overwhelmed with work or responsibility. This usage carries a negative connotation, implying that the workload is too much to handle and that the person or situation is struggling to keep up. Overall, the idiom conveys a sense of being completely full or overwhelmed, whether in a physical or figurative sense.

    Origin of "Full to the gunwales"

    The term "gunwale" refers to the upper edge of a ship's side, and is pronounced "gunnel." The idiom "full to the gunwales" is believed to have originated from the days of wooden ships, when the gunwales would become submerged and almost completely covered when the ship was heavily loaded with cargo. This gave the appearance of the ship being completely full or overwhelmed, leading to the use of the phrase to describe a state of being completely full.

    Over time, the idiom was adopted into everyday language and expanded to encompass other meanings beyond just a ship being loaded with cargo. It is now used in a variety of contexts to describe a state of being completely full or overwhelmed, whether in a physical or figurative sense. The nautical origin of the phrase also adds a unique and memorable element to its usage.