everything but the kitchen sink

idiomatic phrase

variants or less commonly everything and the kitchen sink
: a large number and variety of something
… in the food lineup is what might be the borough's most weighty pizza. … The creation is topped with everything but the kitchen sinkPamela Silvestri
Head coach Erik Spoelstra and his experienced Miami Heat squad threw everything but the kitchen sink [=as many different moves, strategies, etc. as possible] at the Cavaliers defensively on Tuesday night.Robert Fenbers
If you tend to take trips in the car, you can go for something bigger, where you can cram in everything and the kitchen sink.Deborah Cicurel

Examples of everything but the kitchen sink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Not with Penn State throwing everything but the kitchen sink at USC’s defense, cycling through strange formations and funky play designs all afternoon. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024 For a more spacious moment with throwback appeal, there’s the triumphant return of the bowling bags, serving up some serious retro charm and long, shoulder strap satchels that fit everything but the kitchen sink. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 12 Sep. 2024 For fashion enthusiasts who can't leave the house without everything but the kitchen sink, there's an oversized cloud clutch; for those who only need a space for their phone, wallet, and lip products, there's an adorable miniature version. Vivien Lee, refinery29.com, 24 Jan. 2024 And why not bundle course materials when colleges are throwing in everything but the kitchen sink: libraries, sports, student activities, research, healthcare, and all kinds of advising and support from countless associate deans. Ryan Craig, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'everything but the kitchen sink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of everything but the kitchen sink was in 1918

Dictionary Entries Near everything but the kitchen sink

everything

everything but the kitchen sink

every time

Cite this Entry

“Everything but the kitchen sink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/everything%20but%20the%20kitchen%20sink. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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