all hands
The phrase "all hands" can trace its origins to nautical language, where it referred to the entire crew of a ship. Today, it is used in various contexts to indicate the involvement of everyone available.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(informal)A call for everyone available to participate or assist.
Example
- It's all hands on deck to prepare for the big event tomorrow.
B2Nautical
(technical)Refers to the entire crew of a ship.
Example
- The captain called all hands to manage the storm.
C1Business
(corporate)A meeting involving everyone in a company or organization.
Example
- The CEO will address the entire staff at the all-hands meeting.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "all hands":
on all handsall hands on deckjoin handsall standinghands uprun handsall eyesall inthrow handstop handpair of handsbare handwith both handsall as onehand over handin handfree handon someone's hands