all that (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

"All that" functions primarily as a phrase that often acts like a noun or pronoun in various contexts.

Phonetic Transcription

/ɔːl ðæt/

Meaning and Usage

The phrase "all that" is commonly used in both spoken and written English. It generally refers to everything that has been mentioned or implied, often conveying a sense of emphasis or significance concerning something previously discussed. It can sometimes be used to express skepticism or to downplay something that is deemed overrated.

Frequency of Use: "All that" is fairly common in everyday language. It's frequently used in informal conversations, making it more prevalent in oral speech than in formal written contexts.

Example Sentences

1. "I heard the new restaurant is really good, but is it really all that?"
   Translation: "He escuchado que el nuevo restaurante es realmente bueno, ¿pero es realmente tanto así?"

2. "She has all that talent, but she still needs to work hard."
   Translation: "Ella tiene todo ese talento, pero aún necesita trabajar duro."

3. "Is this movie all that it’s cracked up to be?"
   Translation: "¿Es esta película realmente tan buena como dicen?"

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "all that" is often part of idiomatic expressions and phrases:

1. "All that jazz"
   Meaning: Refers to everything related to or similar to something previously mentioned.
   Example: "Bring your guitar and all that jazz."
   Translation: "Trae tu guitarra y todo eso."

2. "It's not all that"
   Meaning: It's not as impressive or significant as claimed.
   Example: "The concert wasn't all that, to be honest."
   Translation: "El concierto no fue tanto, para ser honesto."

3. "All that glitters is not gold"
   Meaning: Not everything that looks precious or valuable is actually so.
   Example: "She seems happy, but remember, all that glitters is not gold."
   Translation: "Ella parece feliz, pero recuerda, no todo lo que brilla es oro."

Etymology

The phrase "all that" has roots in Middle English and has been used for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the Old English "eall," meaning "all," and "þæt," meaning "that." Over time, the phrase has evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to describing the totality or significance of something.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Everything
- The whole lot
- All of it

Antonyms:
- Nothing
- None
- Zero

By understanding "all that," one can appreciate its versatility and significance in conversational English as well as its role in idiomatic expressions.