ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tick all the boxes

idiom
Meaning

To fulfill all the requirements, especially as itemized in a list; to have all the needed characteristics; to complete all the steps in a process in an orderly manner.


Origin

disputed origin

An allusion to check marks made beside each of the items in a checklist.

Examples
SIMPLE

This new apartment ticks all the boxes for me.

CONTEXTUAL

The candidate was perfect for the job because she ticked all the boxes regarding experience and technical skills.

COMPLEX

Although the proposal initially seemed ambitious, it ultimately ticked all the boxes required by the committee to secure the necessary funding for the project.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    tick a lot of boxes

    Synonym of tick all the boxes.

  2. 02

    tick over

    To run smoothly and without problems.

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