“The Whole Shebang” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 16, 2024 by Liam Daniel

Have you ever heard the term “the whole shebang”? This reference explores what the phrase means and provides examples of its use in everyday conversation. You will discover where the term originated and learn other ways to express the same idea. Whether you’re new to the phrase or just curious about its history, this exploration offers something for you.

The Whole Shebang Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “The whole shebang” means everything or the entire thing, including all parts or aspects of a situation.
The Whole Shebang Meaning
The Whole Shebang Meaning – Created by 7ESL

The Whole Shebang Meaning

“The whole shebang” means the entire thing or everything involved in a situation. It refers to all parts or aspects of something, often emphasizing that nothing is left out.

For example:

  • “We bought the whole shebang, including the house, the furniture, and even the car.”
  • “He took care of the whole shebang, from planning to execution.”

It’s a casual phrase often used when talking about getting or managing everything related to something.

Origin of the Phrase

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.

Usage of “The Whole Shebang”

  1. To refer to all aspects of something:
    • “We ordered the whole shebang for the party—food, drinks, and decorations.”
  2. To describe a complete set or package:
    • “They bought the car with the whole shebang, including all the extra features.”
  3. To express doing everything involved:
    • “She handled the whole shebang, from planning the event to cleaning up afterward.”
  4. To emphasize inclusion of everything:
    • “We decided to paint the whole house—the walls, the doors, the ceilings, the whole shebang.”

It’s often used in casual or informal conversations to mean “everything” in a particular context.

Related Terms to “The Whole Shebang”

  • “The whole enchilada” – Refers to the entire thing or all parts of something.
  • “The whole kit and caboodle“ – Means everything, including all items or people.
  • “The works” – Refers to all options or every part of something.
  • “The whole nine yards“ – Means the full extent or everything involved.
  • “The full package” – Indicates everything included, without anything left out.
  • “All-inclusive” – Covers everything in a particular situation or offer.
  • “The whole ball of wax” – Refers to the entire situation or everything involved.
  • “Everything but the kitchen sink” – Means almost everything imaginable.

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” 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.
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