English

Alternative forms

• all over the board
• all over the shop

Adjective

all over the place ‎(comparative more all over the place, superlative most all over the place)

1. (idiomatic) Inconsistent; lacking a clear pattern; with a large amount of variation.

   I asked each person in turn, and their answers were all over the place.

Synonyms

• random
• scattershot

Translations

Adverb

all over the place ‎(not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) Using the available space thoroughly or completely.

   I took a big piece of paper and then just painted flowers all over the place.

2. (idiomatic) In multiple directions, sometimes in a random or near random pattern.

   They started firing all over the place.

3. everywhere

   In Genoa there are stray cats all over the place.

   I poured a big glass of milk but then it spilled all over the place.

Translations

Prepositional phrase

all over the place

1. (literally) Covering a location thoroughly or completely.

   When the house caught on fire the firemen came and sprayed water all over the place.

2. (idiomatic) At multiple locations in the vicinity.

   I've been looking for you all over the place.

   When we got to the amusement park we went all over the place.

   The cart fell over and there were apples all over the place.

3. (idiomatic) In multiple directions, sometimes in a random or near random pattern.

   They started firing all over the place.

4. (idiomatic) Lacking a clear pattern; with a large amount of variation.

   I asked each person in turn, and their answers were all over the place.

Translations

Synonyms

• (covering a location thoroughly): everywhere
• (at multiple locations):
• (lacking a clear pattern): at random

Related terms

• all over the map
• all over the shop