Definition

Adverb: - In every respect; exactly; precisely: Used to emphasize that something is completely or unmistakably the case, often when making a comparison. - Under any circumstances; for anything: Used to state that something is absolutely not the case, regardless of what is offered or what happens. This meaning is often used in negative constructions.

Usage

This phrase is used for strong emphasis. It can describe an uncanny resemblance or an absolute refusal. - To emphasize a striking similarity: "He looked for all the world like a famous actor." - To express an absolute refusal or denial: "She wouldn't go back there for all the world."

Examples

• Emphasizing resemblance:

  • The old house stood there, for all the world like a haunted mansion from a storybook.
  • When he puts on that hat, he looks for all the world like his grandfather.

• Expressing refusal (often with 'not' or 'wouldn't'):

  • I wouldn't trade this job for all the world.
  • She wouldn't reveal the secret for all the world.

Advanced Usage

• "for all the world as if": Used to introduce a clause describing a strong appearance or feeling.
  • He acted for all the world as if he owned the place.
  • She sounded for all the world as if she were about to cry.

Variants and Related Words

• For love or money: An idiom with a similar meaning of "under any circumstances," almost exclusively used in negative contexts (e.g., "I couldn't find a ticket for love or money").
• For anything: A simpler phrase with a similar meaning of refusal (e.g., "I wouldn't do that for anything").

Synonyms

• Exactly
• Precisely
• In every respect
• Under any circumstances
• For anything

Related Idioms

• For the life of me: Used to emphasize that one cannot do something, even if one tries very hard (e.g., "I cannot remember his name for the life of me"). This shares the emphatic, negative usage pattern.

Adverb

1. under any circumstances
   • she wouldn't give up her pets for love or money