whole nine yards
/ðə hoʊl naɪn jɑːrdz/
Meaning
This idiom means everything, all the way, or the full distance. It is used when you are going all out, including every single detail or option available, leaving nothing out. It is a highly casual expression common in American and British English.
Examples
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When we renovated the kitchen, we did the whole nine yards: new cabinets, appliances, and flooring.
When we renovated the kitchen, we did the whole nine yards: new cabinets, appliances, and flooring.
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She ordered a fancy coffee with extra syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, the whole nine yards.
She ordered a fancy coffee with extra syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, the whole nine yards.
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If you're going to study for this exam, you need to go the whole nine yards and read all the chapters.
If you're going to study for this exam, you need to go the whole nine yards and read all the chapters.
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He didn't just buy a tent; he bought the sleeping bags, the stove, the whole nine yards.
He didn't just buy a tent; he bought the sleeping bags, the stove, the whole nine yards.
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For our anniversary, he planned a dinner, a carriage ride, a hotel stay—the whole nine yards.
For our anniversary, he planned a dinner, a carriage ride, a hotel stay—the whole nine yards.
Common Mistakes
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✗ We bought the whole ten yards of equipment.
✓ We bought the whole nine yards of equipment.
The number in this idiom is strictly fixed to 'nine'. You cannot change it to 'ten', 'eight', or any other number.
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✗ He went the complete nine yards to finish the project.
✓ He went the whole nine yards to finish the project.
The adjective is always 'whole'. Replacing it with 'complete' or 'entire' sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Related Expressions
Practice
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We didn't just paint the walls; we replaced the floors, the lighting, and ___.
💡 Everything possible.
Show answer
the whole nine yards
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If you are going to commit to this diet, you have to go ___.
💡 All the way without skipping anything.
Show answer
the whole nine yards