Definition

1. Noun:
   • The whole set or collection: A complete batch or assortment of items that are considered together as a unit.
   • The entire situation or deal: Used to refer to a whole package, situation, or set of circumstances, often implying everything involved.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He didn't want just one part; he decided to buy the whole shmear.
  • When they offered me the promotion, it came with a new office, a company car—the whole shmear.

Advanced Usage

• "the whole shmear": This is the most common idiomatic usage, emphasizing the entirety of something, including all its parts, aspects, or components.
  • For the party, she decorated the hall, arranged the catering, and hired a band—she organized the whole shmear.

Variants and Related Words

• Schmeer (n): An alternative, common spelling of the same word.
  • It's not a simple fix; it's a complicated political schmeer.
• Schmear (n): Another common variant spelling.
  • The contract includes salary, benefits, and stock options—the full schmear.

Synonyms

• The whole shebang: The entire thing.
• The whole kit and caboodle: Everything, all the items or people involved.
• The whole works: The complete set or package.

Related Idioms

• The whole nine yards: Everything possible or available; the full extent.
  • They went all out for the wedding: fancy dress, huge cake, live orchestra—the whole nine yards.
• Lock, stock, and barrel: Including every part or element.
  • After the merger, the larger company took over the smaller one lock, stock, and barrel.

Noun

1. (Yiddish) a batch of things that go together
   • he bought the whole schmeer