all over the buffet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all over the buffet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is spread or scattered throughout a buffet setting, often referring to food items or decorations. Example: "The desserts were all over the buffet, making it hard to choose just one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Throw blood at an innocent sandwich bar that sells coffee, spill oil all over the buffet at a BP recruitment dinner.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To the delight of those championing Wally Backman's candidacy, he said, absolutely, he would consider someone who might turn over the buffet table now and then to get his point across to the team.

The New York Times - Sports

He loved the jazz and blues bands he got to play in the back yard, the talk over the buffet tables, the intrigue, the conversation, the promise of it all.

The New Yorker

They argued throughout the weekend -- over the buffet dinner, over mint tea and over the fax machine spewing out messages from across the world.

The New York Times - Magazine

Panels of tiny lights hang from that ceiling, Japanese red lanterns hang over the buffet tables and faux-stuffed fish dot the walls.

The New York Times

Two portraits by Hodler hang over the buffet, and on its shelf there is a tea and coffee service in silver, designed by Hoffmann.

The New York Times - Arts

In Cairo last week I was amused to see two giant snowmen presiding over the buffet in the restaurant of my hotel and later, when I was being driven out to see the pyramids, a life-size Santa careering over the desert with his reindeer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The man who definitely lingers for slightly too long, breathing heavily over the buffet after the National Television Awards.

Vice

Over by the buffet stood the hamburger prince, having served billions the world over.

The New York Times

Sign up for the best of VICE, delivered to your inbox dAfter

Vice

I re-upped my drink and made my way over to the buffet to get started on the most important part of the Thanksgiving experience: waiting.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all over the buffet" to vividly describe items that are broadly distributed across a buffet setting. For example, "Sprinkles were all over the buffet after a child dropped a cupcake".

Common error

Avoid using "all over the buffet" when referring to concentrated areas or specific sections of the buffet. Use more precise language if the item is not actually spread widely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all over the buffet" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location or spatial distribution. Ludwig examples show its use in describing how items are arranged or scattered within a buffet setting. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all over the buffet" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe items widely scattered or distributed within a buffet setting. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and Ludwig examples indicate its prevalence in descriptive writing, particularly within news and media. While versatile, it suits neutral to informal registers more than formal contexts. Alternative phrases like "scattered across the buffet" or "spread throughout the buffet" offer similar meanings with slight nuances in emphasis. Using "all over the buffet" effectively requires ensuring the described items are indeed widespread, avoiding its application to concentrated areas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered across the buffet

Focuses on the arrangement being dispersed.

spread throughout the buffet

Emphasizes a distribution to every part.

covering the buffet

Highlights a broad surface area.

throughout the buffet selection

Points to availability in the entire spread.

across the buffet table

Highlights arrangement of items.

available at every point of the buffet

Stresses accessibility.

in every section of the buffet

Highlights sectional presence.

populating the buffet

Focuses on filling the entire buffet.

littering the buffet

Highlights dispersed distribution, possibly negatively.

found across the entire buffet

Emphasizes widespread presence.

FAQs

How can I use "all over the buffet" in a sentence?

You can use "all over the buffet" to describe something scattered or distributed widely on a buffet, like "Crumbs were "all over the buffet" after the rush".

What is a good alternative to "all over the buffet"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "scattered across the buffet", "spread throughout the buffet", or "covering the buffet".

Is it appropriate to use "all over the buffet" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "all over the buffet" is more suitable for descriptive or informal writing. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "distributed across the buffet".

What does "all over the buffet" imply about the distribution of items?

It implies that the items are widely scattered and not limited to one specific area, creating a sense of comprehensive presence.