The whole ball of wax
noun
Everything one could possibly want or need in a particular situation.
When she bought the house, it came furnished with a car in the garage—the whole ball of wax.
Often appears as...
- get the whole ball of wax
- offer the whole ball of wax
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
The entirety of a complex situation or problem.
The CEO is not just concerned about profit margins; he's worrying about the whole ball of wax—staff satisfaction, public reputation, market trends.
Often appears as...
- problem is the whole ball of wax
- contemplating the whole ball of wax
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
Everything one could possibly want or need in a particular situation.
When she bought the house, it came furnished with a car in the garage—the whole ball of wax.
Often appears as...
- get the whole ball of wax
- offer the whole ball of wax
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
The entirety of a complex situation or problem.
The CEO is not just concerned about profit margins; he's worrying about the whole ball of wax—staff satisfaction, public reputation, market trends.
Often appears as...
- problem is the whole ball of wax
- contemplating the whole ball of wax
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Package
Use it when referring to every aspect included in something, like a full deal or offer.
The new job provided the whole ball of wax - high salary, health benefits, and a company car.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's a metaphorical phrase, not about an actual ball of wax, but about having all one could need.
The holiday package was the whole ball of wax, with flights, hotel, and meals included.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Speech
It is casual language, more suitable for everyday conversations than for formal writing.
This toolbox has the whole ball of wax for your home repair needs.
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Package
Use it when referring to every aspect included in something, like a full deal or offer.
The new job provided the whole ball of wax - high salary, health benefits, and a company car.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's a metaphorical phrase, not about an actual ball of wax, but about having all one could need.
The holiday package was the whole ball of wax, with flights, hotel, and meals included.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Speech
It is casual language, more suitable for everyday conversations than for formal writing.
This toolbox has the whole ball of wax for your home repair needs.
Pro Tip 1/3Complete Package
Use it when referring to every aspect included in something, like a full deal or offer.
The new job provided the whole ball of wax - high salary, health benefits, and a company car.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's a metaphorical phrase, not about an actual ball of wax, but about having all one could need.
The holiday package was the whole ball of wax, with flights, hotel, and meals included.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Speech
It is casual language, more suitable for everyday conversations than for formal writing.
This toolbox has the whole ball of wax for your home repair needs.
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