ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jack of all trades

idiom
Meaning

One competent in many endeavours, sometimes regarded as not excelling in any of them.


Origin

disputed origin

From jack (“typical man, fellow”) + of + all + trades.

Examples
SIMPLE

He is a jack of all trades who fixes everything.

CONTEXTUAL

Because he can paint, garden, and repair cars, he is a true jack of all trades.

COMPLEX

While he was a jack of all trades, he never mastered one specific skill, which limited his career growth in the competitive engineering firm.

Anchors to
Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    come from a Cracker Jack box

    To obtain or retrieve something that is useless, cheap or fake.

  2. 02

    jack in

    To stop doing a regular activity, such as a job or studying.

  3. 03

    jack of all trades, master of none

    A person who has a competent grasp of many skills but who is not outstanding in any one.

  4. 04

    Jack Tar

    Alternative letter-case form of jacktar.

  5. 05

    jill of all trades

    A woman competent in many endeavors rather than only one.

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