ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jack of all trades, master of none

idiom
Meaning

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


Origin

disputed origin

Expanded form of jack of all trades, which originally was sometimes used as a term of praise. In the 21st century this phrase has itself been (rarely) expanded to a couplet: : Jack of all trades, master of none, : though oftentimes better than master of one.

Examples
SIMPLE

He is a jack of all trades, master of none.

CONTEXTUAL

She can fix cars, paint houses, and cook, but she is a jack of all trades, master of none.

COMPLEX

While his broad knowledge makes him a useful assistant, he remains a jack of all trades, master of none, lacking the deep expertise required for the lead role.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bar none

    Without exception; excluding nothing else of the same kind.

  2. 02

    Buckley's and none

    A supposed two chances (probabilities), being Buckley's chance (meaning a very small chance) or no chance at all.

  3. 03

    come from a Cracker Jack box

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

  4. 04

    have none of something

    To be completely unwilling to accept or support something.

  5. 05

    it's none of your business

    It's a matter (especially a private or personal one) that you are not entitled to be involved in or informed about.

  6. 06

    jack in

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

  7. 07

    jack of all trades

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

  8. 08

    Jack Tar

    Alternative letter-case form of jacktar.

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