for all
Related to for all: for all intents and purposes, A Man for All Seasons
for all
1. To the degree or extent that; insofar as. We might as well have been educated by dogs for all the good their teaching did! For all I know, she could be living in Timbuktu by now!
2. In spite of; notwithstanding. For all our efforts to stop the bill, it still cleared both the House and the Senate with ease.
See also: all
for all (one's) (something)
In spite of the negative trait or issue the speaker is discussing. In this construction, the speaker indicates a specific person, followed by a problem or shortcoming they have experienced or exhibit. Yeah, she's not remotely punctual, and she gripes a lot, but for all her shortcomings, Elisa is a really great manager—her employees just love her. For all our difficulties buying a house, we still managed to get one that we absolutely love.
See also: all
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
for all I care
I don't care if (something happens). For all I care, the whole city council can go to the devil. They can all starve for all I care.
See also: all, care
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
for all
1. Also, for all that. In spite of, notwithstanding. For example, For all her protests she still loved the attention, or He's too old for the part but he did a good job for all that. [Early 1300s]
2. for all one cares or knows . So far as one knows; also, one doesn't really care or know. These phrases are employed like a negative. For example, He can buy ten houses for all I care, meaning one doesn't care at all, or For all I know she's gone to China, meaning one doesn't really know where she is. [Mid-1700s]
See also: all
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
for all —
in spite of —. 1989 Independent For all their cruel, corrupt and reckless vices, the Maharajahs were worshipped as gods by tens of thousands of their subjects.
See also: all
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
for ˈall...
1 in spite of...: For all his qualifications, he isn’t really very good at the job. For all her claims to be efficient, she is a very slow worker.
2 used for saying that the thing you mention does not matter or make any difference: He can do what he wants, for all I care (= I don’t care what he does). ‘Where’s Peter?’ ‘For all I know, he may be dead.’
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- for all (one's) (something)
- for all...
- insofar as
- train as
- train as (something)
- (one's) dogs are barking
- my dogs are barking
- dog whistle
- cut both ways
- it cuts both ways