# complete and utter

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/complete-and-utter
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Used to intensify; absolute; total.

## Examples

- That movie was a complete and utter waste of time.
- The project was a complete and utter disaster because nobody followed the instructions correctly.
- His sudden resignation caused a complete and utter collapse of the department, leaving the remaining staff in a state of total confusion.

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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.