all over the map

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'all over the map' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is scattered, disorganized, inconsistent, or uncertain. For example, "The professor's lectures were all over the map. He jumped from one topic to the next without making any clear connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's all over the map.

The New York Times - Arts

Nowadays retirement is all over the map.

The New York Times

"The numbers are all over the map".

The New York Times

"We were all over the map".

The New York Times

Short stories were all over the map.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was all over the map.

The New Yorker

"I was all over the map.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, he's all over the map.

The New York Times

"They were all over the map.

The New York Times

Individually, they were all over the map.

The New York Times

The designs are all over the map.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all over the map" to describe situations, plans, or discussions that lack a clear direction or consistent focus. It's effective for conveying a sense of disorganization or wide-ranging scope.

Common error

While the phrase contains "map", avoid using it in contexts that are strictly geographical. It's best suited for abstract situations lacking clear structure or consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all over the map" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to describe something as disorganized, unfocused, or inconsistent. It often indicates a lack of clear direction or structure, as Ludwig examples show. It can describe anything from a person's ideas to a project's requirements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "all over the map" is a versatile phrase used to describe something lacking focus, consistency, or direction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid literal interpretations and use it in abstract situations. Alternatives like ""scattered and inconsistent"" or ""disorganized and erratic"" can provide nuanced variations of the meaning. Its primary function is to negatively assess the coherence or direction of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scattered and inconsistent

Emphasizes the lack of coherence and predictability.

disorganized and erratic

Highlights the lack of structure and unpredictable nature.

inconsistent and rambling

Focuses on the lack of logical flow and coherence.

unfocused and disjointed

Stresses the absence of a clear central point and a lack of connection between elements.

haphazard and chaotic

Emphasizes the randomness and lack of order.

rambling and diffuse

Highlights the lack of focus and spreading out in many directions.

uncoordinated and sprawling

Focuses on the lack of integration and wide distribution.

lacking direction

Implies a lack of purpose or goal.

without clear focus

Highlights the absence of a central theme or objective.

covering a wide range

Emphasizes the broad scope or variety.

FAQs

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

You can use "all over the map" to describe anything that lacks focus, consistency, or direction. For example, "The project's requirements were "scattered and inconsistent"" or "His ideas were "disorganized and erratic"".

What's a good alternative to saying "all over the map"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""scattered and inconsistent"", ""disorganized and erratic"", or "lacking direction" as alternatives to "all over the map".

Is it correct to say something is "all over the map"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. The idiom "all over the map" is used to describe something that's inconsistent, disorganized, or covers a wide range of topics without a clear focus.

In what situations is "all over the map" most appropriate?

"All over the map" is appropriate when describing plans, discussions, or strategies that are unfocused or lack a clear direction. It can also describe someone whose opinions or behaviors are inconsistent. For example: Reactions, as usual, were "haphazard and chaotic".