walks all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walks all over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is being treated poorly or taken advantage of by another person. Example: "She always lets her colleagues walk all over her, never standing up for herself in meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

And she's not even mad at Heidi, who blithely walks all over her.

The New York Times - Arts

Matthew Jensen is a conceptual landscape artist who lives in Brooklyn and walks all over the place.

The New Yorker

By Ian Frazier Matthew Jensen is a conceptual landscape artist who lives in Brooklyn and walks all over the place.

The New Yorker

Not that David appears especially interested in following in the footsteps of a father who walks all over everyone in sight.

The New York Times

But the one thing we know about the murderous kleptomaniac regime in Russia is that it walks all over the weak.

The Guardian

But he added: "The one thing we know about the murderous kleptomaniac regime in Russia is that it walks all over the weak.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Without confidence, a Dungeon Master is likely to get walked all over.

Huffington Post

Don't get walked all over.

WikiHow

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walks all over" to clearly convey a situation where someone is being unfairly exploited or disregarded. Ensure the context supports the implication of dominance and lack of respect.

Common error

Avoid using "walks all over" in situations where the interaction is simply assertive or direct. The phrase carries a strong connotation of abuse and exploitation, so reserve it for scenarios where there's a clear imbalance of power and unfair treatment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walks all over" functions as a phrasal verb that describes the act of exploiting, dominating, or mistreating someone. Ludwig shows that it is typically used to express a situation where one party disregards the rights, feelings, or boundaries of another. It implies an imbalance of power and a lack of respect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "walks all over" is a phrasal verb used to describe exploiting, dominating, or mistreating someone. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions to express disapproval in a variety of neutral and informal contexts, most commonly within news and media. While grammatically correct, "walks all over" carries a strong connotation of abuse and should be used carefully to accurately reflect the severity of the situation. Related phrases include "takes advantage of" and "tramples on", which offer similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tramples on

Suggests a more forceful and destructive disregard for someone's feelings or rights.

Takes advantage of

Focuses on the exploitation aspect, highlighting that someone is unfairly benefiting from another's weakness.

Steamrolls

Implies overwhelming opposition or force to achieve a goal, often without regard for others.

Dominates

Emphasizes control and power over someone, lacking the nuance of exploitation.

Pushes around

Indicates a pattern of intimidation and control through bullying tactics.

Bully

Highlights aggressive behavior and intimidation, often associated with repeated actions.

Tyrannizes

Suggests oppressive and unjust rule, often characterized by cruelty and abuse of power.

Disregards

Indicates a lack of consideration or respect for someone's opinion or needs.

Manipulates

Focuses on cunning and strategic control, often with deceitful intentions.

Controls

Highlights the act of governing or directing someone's actions or decisions.

FAQs

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

You can use "walks all over" to describe someone who is being treated poorly or taken advantage of. For instance, "She always lets her colleagues "walk all over" her, never standing up for herself in meetings."

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

You can use alternatives like "takes advantage of", "tramples on", or "dominates" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "walks all over" or "walks over"?

While "walks over" can refer to physically walking across something, "walks all over" specifically means to mistreat or dominate someone. The addition of "all" intensifies the sense of being exploited or disregarded.

What's the difference between "walks all over" and "pushes around"?

"Walks all over" implies a comprehensive disregard for someone's rights or feelings, whereas "pushes around" often suggests a more direct and aggressive form of bullying or intimidation. Both involve mistreatment, but the former emphasizes exploitation, while the latter emphasizes coercion.