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Have you ever heard someone using the term the whole shebang? If so, you may have wondered what the term means. We are going to explain the meaning of this term as well as look at how it can be used within day to day conversations by viewing some examples. We are also going to be finding out where the term came from in the first place.
The Whole Shebang
The Whole Shebang Meaning
The meaning of the term the whole shebang refers to everything. For example, everything that can be included in a situation.
Origin of the idiomatic expression
The term the whole shebang finds its origins from the 1920s in America when people would burn things including bushes which were known as a shebang.
“The Whole Shebang” Examples
Examples in Statements
We are now going to look at some examples of sentences in which the term the whole shebang might appear.
The first is a statement being made by a person who has just attended a music festival.
- The festival was amazing, it had everything, live music, food, a fairground, it had the whole shebang.
The second statement is one being made by an author about their new book.
- I’m sure you will love the book, it had action, romance and even a little horror, the whole shebang in one story.
Conversation Examples
There are many conversations in which one might see the phrase the whole shebang, let’s take a look at some examples of these.
The first is a conversation which is taking place between two people who work together.
- Person 1; “I need you to organise refreshments for the conference.”
- Person 2; “What sort of refreshments do we need?”
- Person 1; “There’s a mix of tastes so go the whole shebang, tea, coffee, juice, water and anything else you can think of.”
The next conversation is occurring between a mother and father planning their daughter’s wedding.
- Person 1; “I’m thinking for the reception that we have live music.”
- Person 2; “Yes, and perhaps some sort of other performers.”
- Person 1; “Our daughter deserves nothing but the best, we will go the whole shebang.”
More helpful examples:
- The wedding’s next week, but my parents are taking care of the whole shebang.
- We’ll have to take the table, chairs, dishes, silverware – the whole shebang.
- It’s a big project, and she’s in charge of the whole shebang.
- It’s a big project, and she’s in charge of the whole shebang.
Other Ways to Say “The Whole Shebang”
There are other ways in which the term the whole shebang might be expressed, here are some examples of other things you might say in its place.
- The full monty
- All and any
- Everything
The Whole Shebang | Image
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