tick all the boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tick all the boxes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe completing all necessary tasks in a given list, or a situation where all criteria are met. For example, "I think this product ticks all the boxes for what we need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

They tick all the boxes required by a premiership team – grunt, skill, a multi-pronged forward line, x-factor and a versatile backline that, despite absences all year, continues to get the job done.

The Guardian - Sport

On this teaser track, Kyrie Eleison, which was originally composed for Hicham Ayouch's film Fièvres, Mar-Khalifé, who is nicknamed The Saint, implores God to spare humankind: "Leave us alone!" Describing his struggles with his faith, he says: "I tick all the boxes for being a believer, but I do not love God".

The Guardian - Music

Yes, cheese straws are a practical choice (easy to eat with one hand, simple to prepare in advance, popular with vegetarians and small children) but most importantly, they tick all the boxes when it comes to the kind of thing people want to eat after a glass or nine of wine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With this is mind, our live Q&A will discuss: What career options are available in the public sector for graduates and career changers What skills/experience you need Ideas on how to ensure you tick all the boxes Join us our experts on Thursday between 1pm and 3pm to discuss all your questions, queries and opportunities.

The Guardian

"We tick all the boxes and should be given a chance.

BBC

"I think they're both well [qualified] and they're both Glamorgan legends and they tick all the boxes," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"O'Driscoll ticks all the boxes.

Independent

"At the moment he's ticked all the boxes".

Independent

It's just ticking all the boxes really.

Independent

Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist, said Romney had ticked all the boxes.

The Guardian

"Brian ticks all the boxes, especially for the job role he's got," he added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication. For highly formal situations, "meet all requirements" could be used instead.

Common error

Avoid using "tick all the boxes" repeatedly within a single document or presentation. Vary your language by using synonyms like "meets all criteria" or "satisfies all conditions" to keep your writing engaging and prevent sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tick all the boxes" functions as an idiomatic expression. It is used to indicate that something satisfies all the necessary requirements or criteria. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tick all the boxes" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to convey that something meets all necessary requirements or criteria. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While it's generally acceptable across different registers, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific situations. When writing, use this phrase to indicate completeness and suitability, but avoid overuse and consider varying your language for better engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet all requirements

Focuses on fulfilling specific demands or needs.

satisfy all criteria

Emphasizes adherence to a set of standards or conditions.

fulfill every condition

Highlights the act of completing each prerequisite.

cover all bases

Suggests a thorough approach, leaving no aspect unattended.

check all the points

Implies a step-by-step verification process.

measure up in every aspect

Conveys meeting expectations across various features.

fit the bill perfectly

Indicates complete suitability for a specific purpose.

align with every specification

Stresses conformity to technical details.

pass every test

Suggests successful completion of evaluations or trials.

suffice in all respects

Implies adequacy and competence from every point of view.

FAQs

How can I use "tick all the boxes" in a sentence?

You can use "tick all the boxes" to indicate that something fulfills all necessary requirements or criteria. For example: "This candidate "meets all requirements" for the position" or "This solution "satisfies all criteria"."

What are some alternatives to "tick all the boxes"?

Some alternatives include "meet all requirements", "satisfy all criteria", "fulfill every condition", or "cover all bases", depending on the specific context.

Is "tick all the boxes" appropriate for formal writing?

While "tick all the boxes" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "meet all requirements" or "satisfy all criteria" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What does it mean when something "doesn't tick all the boxes"?

If something "doesn't tick all the boxes", it means that it does not meet all the necessary requirements or criteria. It is incomplete or has some shortcomings. You can express that sentiment also as "fall short of expectations".