gets all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets all over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that spreads or is distributed widely, often in a messy or uncontrolled manner. Example: "The paint gets all over the floor if you're not careful while working."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"He gets all over the place".

The New York Times

Glue gets all over everything.

The Guardian - Arts

It gets all over your clothes and bedclothes.

The Washington Post

You're working with fiberglass, this caustic material that gets all over you.

The New York Times

"As Hildegard knew from her own experience as a stigmatic fraud, blood, once let loose, gets all over the place".

The Guardian - Books

"It's kind of bleak, and the trees drop this sort of greenish, dusty pollen that gets all over everything".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And then... slowly... he starts getting angry all over again.

The New York Times

"It's gonna get all over the place!" Chang said.

The New Yorker

"I was the guy they got all over".

The New York Times - Sports

Wilmott said, but "itcan get all over yourclothes".

The New York Times

Finally, you can get all over this huge country on trains.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gets all over" to vividly describe situations where a substance or influence spreads uncontrollably. For example, "The glitter gets all over everything during craft projects" effectively conveys the messiness.

Common error

Avoid using "gets all over" in formal or professional writing where a more precise and sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Alternatives like "contaminates" or "affects" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets all over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of something spreading or affecting everything in a given area. Ludwig shows that this usage is prevalent across diverse contexts, signifying its versatility in conveying diffusion or pervasiveness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

32%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gets all over" is a versatile expression used to describe something that spreads widely or affects everything in its vicinity. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news, media and informal contexts. While suitable for everyday descriptions, it should be used cautiously in formal or academic writing, where more precise alternatives might be preferred. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of pervasiveness, distribution, or uncontrolled spread. While typically neutral, its implications can range from negative (contamination) to descriptive (coverage).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spreads everywhere

This alternative emphasizes the comprehensive distribution of something.

affects everything

This alternative emphasizes the impact or influence on all things.

covers everything

This alternative highlights the idea of something physically or metaphorically encompassing all things.

is all over the place

This alternative suggests a state of being scattered or disorganized.

permeates everything

This alternative suggests a deeper level of influence or penetration.

is scattered everywhere

This alternative emphasizes the randomness and wide distribution.

is diffused throughout

This alternative suggests a gradual and even distribution.

is rampant throughout

This alternative suggests an uncontrolled and widespread occurrence.

extends to all areas

This alternative emphasizes the reach and scope of something.

implicates everything

This alternative suggests involvement or connection to all things.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "gets all over" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives like "spreads throughout", "contaminates", or "permeates" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "The scandal gets all over the media", try "The scandal "spreads throughout" the media".

What does it mean when something "gets all over" something else?

It typically means that something is spreading in a messy or uncontrolled way onto a surface or area. It can also metaphorically mean that something is affecting or influencing something else extensively.

Is "gets all over" appropriate for academic writing?

In most cases, no. Academic writing usually calls for more precise and formal language. Consider alternatives like "affects", "influences", or "covers" depending on the intended meaning. A more academic alternative for "The data gets all over the report" would be "The data "influences" the report".

What are some humorous ways to use "gets all over"?

You can use "gets all over" humorously to describe everyday messy situations, like "The dog gets mud all over the house after a rainy walk" or "Confetti gets all over everything during the party, and you'll be finding it for weeks".