gone all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gone all over" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used informally to suggest something has been spread or distributed widely, but clarity may be lost. Example: "The news has gone all over the town, and everyone is talking about it."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

You were gone all over the country.

The Guardian

I have gone all over without shoes.

The New Yorker

Since 2008 prices have gone all over the place.

The Economist

The woolly adelgid had gone all over the mountains.

The New Yorker

Someone had gone all over town and amended this by hand.

The New York Times - Magazine

He wondered if she had heard about Harley, but of course she would have — the news had gone all over the neighborhood.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Komlos went all over the place.

The New Yorker

You were going all over the country".

The New York Times

We went all over the place.

The New Yorker

I was going all over the country.

The New York Times

So we went all over.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the movement or spread of something, consider whether a more precise verb might better convey the specific action, such as "circulated", "traveled", or "dispersed".

Common error

While "gone all over" is acceptable, it may sound too informal or vague in academic or professional writing. Opt for stronger, more specific verbs to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gone all over" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating movement or distribution across a wide area. It often acts as a descriptor of how far something has spread, as Ludwig shows in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gone all over" is an acceptable, commonly used expression to describe something that has spread widely. While Ludwig indicates it is acceptable, more precise vocabulary may be needed for formal writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia. Alternatives such as "spread everywhere" or "traveled extensively" can provide more specific meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread everywhere

Focuses on the extent of distribution rather than the act of going.

traveled extensively

Highlights the act of traveling to many different places.

reached many places

Emphasizes that the destination has been reached to many locations.

circulated widely

Emphasizes the broad distribution of something, like news or information.

swept the nation

Used when something becomes very popular or widespread very quickly across a country.

dispersed throughout

Implies a scattered distribution, often used for physical objects or substances.

extended everywhere

Focuses in the expansion of a certain object or concept.

pervaded all areas

Suggests a more subtle or influential spread into every part of something.

diffused across

Emphasizes a progressive dissemination or spread of information or influence.

covered the territory

Indicates that the query refers to movement or influence throughout a particular geographic area.

FAQs

What does "gone all over" mean?

The phrase "gone all over" generally means that something has spread or traveled to many different places or throughout an area. It can apply to information, objects, or even people.

What are some alternatives to "gone all over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spread everywhere", "traveled extensively", or "circulated widely".

Is it correct to say "gone all over the world"?

Yes, saying "gone all over the world" is grammatically acceptable. It means something has spread to or been experienced in many different countries globally.

Can "gone all over" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, "gone all over" can apply to abstract concepts. For example, you might say, "The news has gone all over the internet", meaning it has spread widely online.