PhrasesHub

Packed to the gunwales

    Definitions

      • full or completely filled
        Describing a place or container as being completely full or overcrowded

    Examples of Packed to the gunwales

    • The boat was packed to the gunwales during the summer vacation.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a boat is so full that there is no more space left for anything else. The term "gunwales" refers to the upper edge of the side of a boat. When a boat is full to the brim, it looks like it's packed with as many things as it can take, right up to the edge of the gunwales.

    • The party was packed to the gunwales with guests.

      This example is using the idiom in a different context. Here, the party was so crowded that there was no more space for any more people. The guests were packed in so tightly that it seemed like the venue could barely hold them all. The image of a boat overflowing with people is a creative way to describe an incredibly busy and crowded event.

    • The shelves in the garage were packed to the gunwales with boxes.

      This example uses the idiom to describe a storage area that's completely full of items. The boxes are piled up so high that they're almost touching the upper edge of the shelf, like a boat that's overflowing with cargo. If someone were to try and fit any more boxes onto the shelves, they'd have to clear some space first.

    • The auditorium was packed to the gunwales during the music festival.

      This final example shows how versatile this idiom is. Here, the auditorium is overflowing with people listening to music. It's an image that's easy to picture - the seats are so filled with people that it seems like the room could barely contain them all. The idea of a boat being filled to the brim with people attending a concert is a powerful visual that gives the listener a real sense of the event's popularity. So, that's our list of varied examples of the 'Packed to the gunwales' idiom. I hope you found them helpful!

    • The ferry was packed to the gunwales with tourists eager to see the scenic coastline.

      This idiom means that the ferry was completely full, with no more room available for additional passengers or items. The phrase "packed to the gunwales" is derived from the fact that the sides of a ship or boat are called "gunwales," and if a vessel is filled to capacity, it may appear as if the cargo or people are actually overflowing the sides. In this example, the ferry was overflowing with tourists, indicating that there were a lot of people on board.

    • The concert hall was packed to the gunwales with music enthusiasts, all eagerly awaiting the performance by the world-renowned orchestra.

      This example highlights the fact that the idiom can also be used in reference to indoor spaces, such as a concert hall or a theater, where a large number of people have gathered. In this case, the phrase "packed to the gunwales" signifies that there were no empty seats or standing room left in the hall, as everyone had already taken their place.

    • The store's sale section was packed to the gunwales with bargain seekers, all vying for the best deals on clearance items.

      This example shows how the idiom can be applied to a retail setting, where a large number of customers have gathered to take advantage of discounted prices. Here, the phrase "packed to the gunwales" indicates that there were so many people in the store's sale section that it seemed as if the items were literally overflowing with buyers.

    • The streets of the city were packed to the gunwales with commuters, all hurrying to and from work during rush hour.

      This example applies the idiom to a crowded urban environment, where a high volume of people are moving through the streets at the same time. Here, the phrase "packed to the gunwales" implies that there were so many people on the streets during rush hour that it seemed as if the sidewalks and roads were overflowing with commuters.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "packed to the gunwales" is used to convey the idea of something being completely filled or overcrowded. It can be used to describe a physical space, such as a room or a vehicle, that is filled to capacity. It can also be used in a more figurative sense to describe a situation or schedule that is completely full or overloaded.

    The phrase is often used to emphasize the extreme fullness or crowdedness of a particular space or situation. It can be used in a lighthearted or humorous way to convey the idea of something being so full that there is no room for anything else.

    Origin of "Packed to the gunwales"

    The idiom "packed to the gunwales" has nautical origins, with "gunwales" referring to the upper edge of a boat's sides. The "gunwales" are the part of the boat that would be the first to be submerged if the boat were overloaded. The phrase likely originated from the practice of loading cargo onto boats, with the "gunwales" being the point at which the boat would be considered to be completely full.

    The idiom has since been adopted into everyday language to describe any situation or space that is completely full or overcrowded. It is often used to add emphasis to the idea of something being packed to capacity.