walk all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walk all over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe someone that is being dominated or taken advantage of. For example, "My boss has been walking all over me lately, making me work late and over the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had to learn how to walk all over again.

The New York Times

A frightened boy had to learn to walk all over again.

The New York Times - Sports

And after every surgery I learned to walk all over again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kiptyn keenly observed that snowshoeing was like learning to walk all over again.

Huffington Post

The Northern Michigan Wildcats weren't going to let No. 1 Michigan walk all over them.

The New York Times

And why does he "chicken walk all over the place" like George Jefferson?

Huffington Post

I can walk all over Paris".

The New York Times

He didn't choose a wife he could walk all over.

The New Yorker

"They walk all over the place," said the other.

The Guardian - Books

"In the beginning, I let people walk all over me".

The New York Times

"You'd walk all over town looking at cows".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this idiom, ensure the context makes it clear who is being dominated and who is doing the dominating to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "walk all over" when the subject is unclear. Ensure it's evident who is being taken advantage of, otherwise, the sentence can become confusing and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "walk all over" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe dominating or mistreating someone without respect. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts where power dynamics are unequal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

32%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walk all over" is an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of dominating or mistreating someone without respect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media and informal contexts. To ensure clarity, be precise about who is dominating whom. While largely considered neutral, remember that overuse can make your communications too conversational. Considering alternatives such as "dominate" or "take advantage of" can add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take advantage of

Highlights the act of using someone's weakness or vulnerability.

push around

Highlights the act of intimidating or bossing someone.

dominate

Focuses on the act of controlling or having power over someone.

trample on

Uses a more violent imagery to convey disregard for someone's feelings.

exploit

Emphasizes using someone unfairly for personal gain.

steamroll

Implies overwhelming someone with force or pressure.

mistreat

Indicates treating someone badly or unfairly.

control

Emphasizes the act of directing someone's actions or decisions.

bully

Suggests intimidating or coercing someone.

oppress

Indicates prolonged and unjust treatment or control.

FAQs

How to use "walk all over" in a sentence?

The phrase "walk all over" means to dominate or treat someone without respect. For example, "She doesn't let anyone "walk all over" her."

What can I say instead of "walk all over"?

You can use alternatives like "take advantage of", "dominate", or "mistreat" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "walk all over someone" or "walk over someone"?

"Walk all over someone" is the correct idiomatic expression. "Walk over someone" is not a standard idiom and might be misinterpreted.

What's the difference between "walk all over" and "push around"?

While both phrases imply mistreatment, "walk all over" suggests a more consistent and blatant disregard for someone's feelings or rights, while "push around" might refer to specific instances of bullying or intimidation.