PhrasesHub

The whole kit and caboodle

    Definitions

      • entirety
        Refers to the entirety of something, including all its components or elements

      • everything
        Refers to everything in a group or collection, leaving nothing out

    Examples of The whole kit and caboodle

    • The company decided to streamline their operations by getting rid of the whole kit and caboodle. This meant cutting back on unnecessary resources and focusing on the essentials.

      In this example, "the whole kit and caboodle" is a metaphorical expression meaning all the parts, components or accessories that make up a whole system or collection. The company is choosing to get rid of everything that is not essential to their operations in order to become more efficient.

    • After the wedding, the bride and groom received the whole kit and caboodle as gifts. They were overwhelmed by the generosity of their friends and family, who had given them everything they needed to start their new life together.

      In this example, "the whole kit and caboodle" is being used to mean all the gifts that the bride and groom received after their wedding. The expression highlights the fact that they received everything they needed, from the smallest and most practical items to the larger and more elaborate presents.

    • The singer was nervous before the concert, but he knew that he had the whole kit and caboodle to help him give a great performance. He had his voice, his instruments, his stage presence, and his songs all prepared and ready to go.

      In this example, "the whole kit and caboodle" refers to everything that the singer needs to put on a successful show. It emphasizes that he has all the necessary tools and resources at his disposal, which gives him the confidence he needs to do his job well.

    • The detective spent hours poring over every last detail of the case, determined to uncover the whole kit and caboodle. She was convinced that there was still something missing, something that would help her solve the mystery once and for all.

      In this example, "the whole kit and caboodle" is used to mean all the facts, evidence, and clues that are necessary to solve a complex case or problem. The detective is willing to go to great lengths to find all the information she needs, knowing that it will help her to bring the case to a successful conclusion.

    • John decided to sell his entire collection, the whole kit and caboodle, including all the rare antiques, vintage posters, and vintage cameras.

      "Kit" here refers to a soldiers' outfit, while "caboodle" refers to the miscellaneous objects that are stored in a kit. When we say "the whole kit and caboodle," it means all the parts, items, or things that come together as a set or collection. In this example, John is selling his entire collection of antiques, posters, and cameras, which include all the items that are part of the collection.

    • Samantha inherited the whole kit and caboodle from her grandmother. The collection included all the family heirlooms, antique jewellery, and old photographs.

      "Kit" and "caboodle" are often used together to mean the entire collection, including all the items that make up that collection. In this instance, Samantha inherited all the items that were passed down through generations, including family heirlooms, antique jewellery, and old photographs.

    • During the move, the entire household had to be packed up, the whole kit and caboodle.

      "Kit" and "caboodle" are used here to mean everything that is necessary for living or working together. In this example, when moving house, everything in the house, from furniture to clothes to kitchenware, needs to be packed up.

    • The construction workers had to bring the whole kit and caboodle in order to remodel the bathroom.

      "Kit" and "caboodle" are used here to describe all the equipment, materials, and tools required for a particular task or job. In this example, the construction workers needed to bring everything they would need to remodel the bathroom, including tools, materials, and equipment.


    Conclusion

    "The whole kit and caboodle" is used to refer to the entirety of something, encompassing all its components or elements. It can also be used to describe everything in a group or collection, leaving nothing out. This idiom is often used in informal speech and writing to emphasize the completeness or all-inclusive nature of something.

    Origin of "The whole kit and caboodle"

    The origin of the idiom "the whole kit and caboodle" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the 19th century. The word "kit" likely comes from the Dutch word "kitte," meaning a wooden vessel used for holding paint or tar, which was later used to refer to a collection of tools or equipment. "Caboodle" is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "boedel," meaning property or belongings. Over time, the two words were combined to form the idiom "the whole kit and caboodle," which has been used to describe the entirety of something since the mid-19th century.

    Examples of this idiom can be found in literature from the 19th and 20th centuries, indicating that it has been in use for quite some time. The exact origin may be uncertain, but the idiom has become a popular way to express completeness or inclusivity in English.