whole thing up

USAGE SUMMARY

"whole thing up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean that something is comprehensively finished, or that a concept or plan is complete. For example, "We finally wrapped the whole thing up with a celebration dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We just loosened the whole thing up".

The New York Times

Now let's focus on clearing this whole thing up".

The New Yorker

They back the whole thing up with a brass section.

The New York Times

"Don't go too low and blow the whole thing up".

The New York Times - Magazine

"IT is time to blow the whole thing up".

The New York Times

"And it just sped this whole thing up".

The New York Times

"It brings the whole thing up to a new level.

The Guardian - Sport

"He said Wells was a no-good criminal who had made the whole thing up".

Independent

"We should write the whole thing up for the historical newsletter".

The New Yorker

Our purpose in bringing the whole thing up is not merely to debunk the myth.

The New Yorker

In this race, the key to winning was ingeniously uncomplicated: Make the whole thing up!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whole thing up" when you want to emphasize the entirety of something being completed or dealt with comprehensively. For example, "Let's wrap the whole thing up and go home."

Common error

Avoid using "whole thing up" in highly formal writing where a more sophisticated or precise term might be more appropriate. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "complete resolution" or "thorough finalization".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whole thing up" functions as a phrasal verb construction, typically used to indicate the completion, conclusion, or arrangement of something in its entirety. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase. For example, "Let's clear this whole thing up."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whole thing up" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the completion, resolution, or arrangement of something in its entirety. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While generally neutral to informal in register, it's best suited for everyday communication and should be used with discretion in formal writing. Examples from news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian illustrate its widespread use, further emphasizing its place in modern language. When a more formal alternative is needed, consider phrases such as "complete resolution" or "thorough finalization".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish the entire matter

Replaces "thing" with "matter" and uses "finish" to emphasize completion.

finalize the whole process

Replaces "thing" with "process" and "up" with "finalize" for a more professional feel.

completely resolve the situation

Substitutes "thing" with "situation" and employs "completely resolve" for a more formal tone.

bring the matter to a close

Offers a more idiomatic alternative, focusing on ending the issue.

arrange everything completely

Emphasizes arrangement rather than resolution, using "everything" for broader scope.

settle the entire affair

Replaces "thing" with "affair", suggesting a formal or sensitive context.

conclude the complete business

Substitutes "thing" with "business", indicating a professional or transactional context.

tidy everything away

Implies organization and removal of something, rather than a simple conclusion.

get the complete picture sorted

Focuses on understanding and organizing information rather than just finishing.

put all the pieces together

Implies assembling components to form a completed entity or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "whole thing up" in a sentence?

You can use "whole thing up" to describe the completion of a task or project, as in "We need to wrap the "whole thing up" before the deadline" or to suggest a thorough cleaning or organizing process.

What's a more formal alternative to "whole thing up"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "complete resolution", "thorough finalization", or "comprehensive completion" instead of "whole thing up".

Is "whole thing up" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "whole thing up" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language such as "thorough analysis" or "complete investigation" to maintain a scholarly tone.

What does it mean to "blow the whole thing up"?

The expression "blow the "whole thing up"" means to destroy or ruin something completely, often intentionally. It implies a drastic and irreversible action that dismantles the current situation.