root and branch

root and branch

In its entirety; wholly. The company has changed root and branch since it was bought out by the media conglomerate. The new administration is aiming to overhaul the tax system root and branch.
See also: and, branch, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

root and branch

Utterly, completely, as in The company has been transformed root and branch by the new management. Alluding to both the underground and aboveground parts of a tree, this idiom was first recorded in 1640.
See also: and, branch, root
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

root and branch

COMMON If something is changed or reformed root and branch, it is changed or reformed completely, so that none of the old or traditional parts remain. These genuinely radical measures should change our economic system root and branch. Note: A root-and-branch reform, change or examination is a complete reform, change or examination. The Chief Inspector of Prisons called for root and branch reform of the prison system yesterday. The government has embarked on a root and branch review of the future of student finance. Note: In 1641 the Root and Branch Bill abolishing the government of the church by bishops was presented to the English Parliament. Those who supported the bill were known as `root-and-branch men', and the term has been used to refer to reform ever since.
See also: and, branch, root
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

root and branch

used to express the thorough or radical nature of a process or operation.
1999 Which? Last year, the government undertook a root and branch examination of the home-buying process in England and Wales.
See also: and, branch, root
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌroot and ˈbranch

completely; thoroughly: The independence movement has been destroyed root and branch.
See also: and, branch, root
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

root and branch

Utterly; completely: The organization has been transformed root and branch by its new leaders.
See also: and, branch, root
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • the whole jimbang
  • the whole jingbang
  • the whole shooting match
  • sit through
  • sit through (something)
  • until (one's) dying day
  • alpha
  • alpha and omega
  • alpha and omega, the
  • omega