every last stick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every last stick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the completeness or thoroughness of something, often in the context of removing or using all items in a group. Example: "After the storm, we had to gather every last stick of debris from the yard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Every last stick of it.

The Guardian - Books

One of my earliest memories as a child is of the bailiffs walking in and taking every last stick of furniture we had.

The Guardian

If he had to stick his arms down those sewers -- with that decades-old muck creeping up to his armpit -- to get every last stick, he would.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was more, "You can pry this last stick of butter from my dead cold hands... .. My husband, meanwhile, was tied upon the phone, trying to re-arrange a business flight out West.

Huffington Post

Member states in both these organizations need to stop competing within themselves and realize that the real competition is to not be the last stick in the mud straining against the winds of change.

Huffington Post

Take the last stick and place it in the glue at an angle that will allow the frame to stay still when the frame is balanced on the stick.

WikiHow

The last sticking-point in the two parties' talks was whom to put in charge of the bloated security services.

The Economist

One of the last sticking points in the business-labor negotiations has been the specific type of jobs that would be excluded from the program.

The New York Times

If these last sticking points are resolved, then the Doha conference will be hailed as a success and the real talks – on a 2015 treaty - can begin.

The Guardian

Labor will preference One Nation last, sticking to a longstanding and formerly bipartisan arrangement rooted in historical condemnation of Hanson's race-based rhetoric.

The Guardian

The contentious language was one of the last sticking points negotiators faced in finishing the bill before Congress adjourns for the year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "every last stick" to emphasize the thoroughness of collecting or removing items, particularly when referring to debris or remnants after an event.

Common error

Avoid using "every last stick" in highly formal or professional documents; opt for more formal alternatives like "each and every item" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every last stick" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the completeness of an action related to the noun "stick". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to highlight that nothing is left behind. The examples show its use in contexts where thoroughness is key.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "every last stick" is a grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the completeness and thoroughness of an action, particularly in the context of collecting or removing items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. It is more common in news and media but also appears in wikis. While its usage is relatively rare, it effectively conveys a sense of finality. For formal writing, alternative phrases like "each and every item" may be more appropriate. Remember to avoid overuse in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every single piece

Replaces "stick" with "piece", maintaining the emphasis on totality but applicable to a broader range of items.

each and every splinter

More specific than the original, focusing on small fragments to emphasize thoroughness.

all the remaining fragments

Emphasizes what's left to gather or account for, highlighting the finality of the action.

down to the last splinter

This emphasizes the minute detail and exhaustive nature of the action being performed.

every bit of timber

This is a synonym to the original statement, with similar meaning and context.

the entire collection

Shifts focus to the entirety of the set, rather than individual items within it.

completely and utterly

This expresses a thorough and comprehensive approach or action, rather than a physical collection.

totally and entirely

This indicates a comprehensive and all-inclusive approach or action.

without exception

Focuses on the lack of any exclusions, highlighting an all-encompassing approach.

in its entirety

Highlights the completeness and wholeness of something, rather than specific items.

FAQs

How can I use "every last stick" in a sentence?

You can use "every last stick" to emphasize completeness in gathering or removing items, such as, "After the storm, we collected "every last stick" of debris from the yard".

What's a similar phrase to "every last stick"?

Alternatives to "every last stick" include phrases like "every single piece" or "each and every splinter", which also emphasize thoroughness.

Is "every last stick" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "every last stick" is better suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using "each and every item" or "all the remaining fragments" for a more professional tone.

What does "every last stick" emphasize?

"Every last stick" emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of an action, particularly in the context of removing or accounting for all items, no matter how small or insignificant.