it is all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is all over" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something has ended or concluded. Example: "After the final whistle, it is all over for the team this season." Alternative expressions include "it's finished" and "it's done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's going to be some time before it is all over," he said.

The Guardian

When it is all over, tell everyone to go to the "graveyard".

WikiHow

When it is all over, I think the press will regret its hysteria.

The New York Times

And it is all over the internet.

Independent

It is all over the place".

Independent

Suddenly, it is all over.

The Guardian

Finally, it is all over.

The Guardian - Sport

And it is all over the Web.

The New York Times

He said, "It is all over".

The New York Times

people scattered as it is all over the world.

Princeton University

When it is all over, they reflect on what happened.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In spatial contexts, clarify what the subject is covering to avoid ambiguity (e.g., "the news is all over the internet").

Common error

Ensure the context clearly distinguishes between something ending (finality) and something being everywhere (distribution). For example, saying "the war is all over the news" means it is widespread in media, whereas "the war is all over" means it has ended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is all over" typically functions as a declarative clause where "it" is the subject, "is" the linking verb, and "all over" acts as a predicative adjective or prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote the complete cessation of an activity or a total spatial coverage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is all over" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct English phrase. As evidenced by the high volume of examples in Ludwig, it serves two distinct semantic roles: signaling the absolute end of a process (such as a match, a trial, or a relationship) and describing widespread presence (such as news being all over the web). Its usage across top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability. Writers should be mindful of context to ensure clarity between its two meanings, opting for synonyms like "it is pervasive" in formal scientific settings if spatial distribution is the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is finished

Focuses on the completion of a specific task or process.

it is everywhere

Used when the spatial meaning of distribution is intended.

it is all over the place

Often implies lack of organization or widespread presence.

it is concluded

Provides a more formal tone for ending a situation.

it has come to an end

A more narrative or descriptive way to signal finality.

it is pervasive

More academic term for being distributed throughout.

it is all done

More informal and often used for completed chores or tasks.

the game is up

An idiomatic way to say a deception or struggle has ended.

it is widespread

Focuses on the broad reach of a phenomenon.

it is all over bar the shouting

An idiom meaning the outcome is certain, though not yet official.

FAQs

How to use "it is all over" in a sentence?

You can use it to signal the end of a situation, such as "After the whistle blew, it is all over for the home team", or to show distribution, like "The evidence "it is all over the place"."

What can I say instead of "it is all over"?

Depending on the context, you can use "it is concluded" for formal endings or "it is everywhere" for widespread distribution.

Is "it is all over" formal enough for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, academic writing often prefers more precise terms like "it is pervasive" or "it has concluded" to avoid the colloquial tone of the original phrase.

What is the difference between "it is all over" and "it is over"?

The word "all" acts as an intensifier, adding emphasis to the finality or the completeness of the distribution. "It is over" is a simple statement of fact, while "it is all over" sounds more definitive.