PhrasesHub

Tom, Dick and Harry

    Definitions

      • refer to ordinary or common people
        to refer to unspecified or unknown individuals, often used to indicate that a statement or situation applies to everyone

      • discourage someone
        Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

    Examples of Tom, Dick and Harry

    • Tom, Dick, and Harry refer to representative men's names to mean "everyman" in the sense of an ordinary, unspecialized person. For instance, we might say that we couldn't find any volunteers for the task, so we're asking Tom, Dick, and Harry to do it.

      This example showcases the use of the idiom in a sentence to replace the need for defining the group of individuals as ordinary or regular. Here, we're implying that we don't know anyone specifically but need help from three hypothetical individuals, each named Tom, Dick, and Harry.

    • We ate dinner at a restaurant crowded with Tom, Dick, and Harrys.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a sentence to refer to a multitude of people who are anonymous to us, but we can still identify them in a broad sense. In this context, "Tom, Dick, and Harrys" implies that there were many people in the restaurant, but we couldn't identify them specifically.

    • We went biking on a trail that was clear except for a few spots where we had to push our bikes past Tom, Dick, and Harry's fallen branches.

      This example showcases how the idiom can be utilized in a sentence to replace a specific name with three nonspecific ones in referencing individuals who are causing an obstruction. Here, we're implying that there were some people whose names we don't know, and they had left some fallen branches on the bike trail, which we had to navigate around.

    • In order to study for our exams, we've stopped hanging out with Tom, Dick, and Harry and started studying with a study group.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used in a sentence to mean that we have ceased spending time with some people, who are unspecified, and instead decided to form a group of people who are collective for studying purposes. Here, we're implying that we have stopped hanging out with three unknown individuals and are now studying with a group of people whose names we do not know as well.

    • Tom, Dick, and Harry went to the party last night, but only Tom made it home by sunrise.

      This idiom is used to list three unnamed people as examples, representing the generic population. It highlights that out of the group, only Tom was able to make it home by sunrise after the party. This shows that the other two individuals, Dick and Harry, may have had a longer night.

    • When it comes to cooking, I'm definitely more of a Tom than a Dick or a Harry.

      This idiom is utilized to compare oneself to an unknown group. Here, the speaker is indicating that they consider themselves to be less skilled in the kitchen, as compared to the hypothetical group consisting of Dick and Harry.

    • That company has been hitting a rough patch lately; Tom, Dick, and Harry are all looking for work.

      This idiom represents the collective populace. In this instance, it is clarified that Tom, Dick, and Harry are all individuals belonging to the same company that has been facing difficulties, and they have all been seeking employment.

    • If Tom, Dick, and Harry are all jumping off the bridge, does that make it safe to do so?

      This frequently used idiom raises the question of whether group behavior’s suitability is definitive of the best course of action. In this case, the speaker is questioning the logicality of conforming to others' actions, even if there is a group of three following the course.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Tom, Dick and Harry" is used to refer to ordinary or common people, often to indicate that a statement or situation applies to everyone. It can also be used to discourage someone from engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit.

    Origin of "Tom, Dick and Harry"

    The origin of the idiom "Tom, Dick and Harry" dates back to the 18th century, and it is believed to have originated from the names of three common men during that time. The use of these names in the idiom reflects the idea of ordinary individuals. Over time, the phrase has become a popular way to refer to unspecified or unknown individuals in a general sense. The idiom has been widely used in literature, conversation, and various forms of media to convey the concept of commonality or to caution against certain actions. For example, it may be used in a sentence like, "I don't want just any Tom, Dick, and Harry to have access to my personal information."