and his mother

and his mother

A phrase used hyperbolically to express a large number or a majority of people. It usually appears in the construction "everyone/everybody and his mother." I just wanted to have a small dinner party, and now you've invited everyone and his mother! What are we going to feed all these people? I think Shelly is nervous because she gets spooked in big crowds, and everybody and his mother will be at the parade.
See also: and, mother
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • everybody and his mother
  • everybody and their mother
  • everyone and his mother
  • everyone and their mother
  • everyone and their brother
  • everybody and their brother
  • everybody and their dog
  • everybody and his dog
  • everybody and his uncle
  • everyone and their uncle
References in classic literature
When Bobby came up from Deolali and took his place among the Tail Twisters, it was gently but firmly borne in upon him that the Regiment was his father and his mother and his indissolubly wedded wife, and that there was no crime under the canopy of heaven blacker than that of bringing shame on the Regiment, which was the best-shooting, best-drilled, best set-up, bravest, most illustrious, and in all respects most desirable Regiment within the compass of the Seven Seas.
Only A Subaltern