# all over bar the shouting

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/all-over-bar-the-shouting
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of an activity where the result is known, but may be subject to change, due to it not being officially finished or announced.

## Examples

- The game is all over bar the shouting.
- With a twenty-point lead and only seconds left, the match is all over bar the shouting.
- Although the final votes are still being tallied, the election result is essentially all over bar the shouting.

## Origin

Literally, “it's finished, except for the shouting.”

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.