“Kit and Caboodle” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 4, 2024 by Liam Daniel

You might hear the phrase “kit and caboodle” in a conversation, but what does it really mean? This reference explores the meaning of “kit and caboodle,” providing examples of how to use it. You’ll discover different ways to express the same idea, broadening your language skills. By exploring this reference, you’ll gain insight into how this interesting phrase fits into everyday language.

Kit and Caboodle Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Kit and caboodle” is an idiom that means “everything” or “the whole lot.” It’s often used to refer to an entire collection of things, people, or belongings. The phrase can also imply completeness or totality in informal contexts.
Kit and Caboodle
Kit and Caboodle – Created by 7ESL

“Kit and Caboodle” Meaning

The phrase “kit and caboodle” refers to the entirety of something or everything involved in a situation. It’s often used to emphasize that all parts or elements of a particular group or collection are included. The expression suggests that nothing has been left out.

Examples:

  • “When I moved, I packed up my whole kit and caboodle.”
  • “She brought the entire kit and caboodle to the picnic, from sandwiches to desserts.”

Origin of This Idiom

The term ‘kit and caboodle’ originally came from the United States in the mid 19th century. The word caboodle is an old term which meant ‘everything’ or ‘the entire lot’ and kit refers to a set of items designed for a specific task.

Usage of “Kit and Caboodle”

Examples:

In a casual sentence:

  • “He brought the whole kit and caboodle to the meeting—charts, reports, and samples.”
  • “They decided to renovate the house, including the kitchen, bathrooms, yard—the entire kit and caboodle.”

In conversation:

  • Person 1: “Did you pack everything for the trip?”
  • Person 2: “Yes, I’ve got the tent, food, gear—the whole kit and caboodle.”

Related Terms to “Kit and Caboodle”

  • The whole shebang – everything involved; the entire situation.
  • The whole nine yards – everything possible; the full extent of something.
  • Everything and the kitchen sink – a phrase used to emphasize that everything imaginable is included.
  • All and sundry – referring to everyone and everything without exception.
  • The whole kit – a phrase emphasizing that all parts of a collection or set are included.
  • All in all – considering everything; taking everything into account.
  • The full package – everything that is included or offered.
  • Lock, stock, and barrel – referring to everything involved in a situation, particularly in a complete or total sense.
  • Complete set – an expression indicating that all parts are included.
  • Every last thing – emphasizing that nothing is omitted.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are many other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘kit and caboodle.’ Here are some examples of other things you can say which have the same meaning.

  • All the trappings
  • The whole deal
  • Entire shebang
  • Whole shebang

“Kit and Caboodle” Examples

Examples in Statements

This is a statement which is being made by a television reporter.

  • ‘The new shopping centre has so many shops, cafes and bars, it has the whole kit and caboodle.’

Here is a statement made by a doctor.

  • ‘This patient really is very sick, I’m going to have to use the whole kit and caboodle to her him well again.’

Useful examples:

  • He said if I bought the whole kit and caboodle, I could have it for peanuts.
  • I want to get rid of the whole kit and caboodle.
  • We took along the whole kit and caboodle in the station wagon.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to know how the idiomatic term ‘kit and caboodle’ works in a conversation, here are some examples to show how it might sound.

This first conversation is happening between two friends.

  • Person 1: “I hear that David is throwing a party this weekend.”
  • Person 2: “Yes, I’ve heard that he is having a disco, a bar, an inflatable hot tub and dancers.”
  • Person 1: “Wow, he’s going to have the whole kit and caboodle.”

This conversation is taking place at a school.

  • Person 1: “I need to find a book.”
  • Person 2: “Why not look in the library?”
  • Person 1: “Because this is a very unusual book and I can’t be sure that the library will have it.”
  • Person 2: “They are certain to have it, they have the entire kit and caboodle in there.”
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