ENGLISH
REFERENCE

whole cloth

idiom
Meaning

in full extent, wholesale, entirely, without changes or additions


Examples
SIMPLE

He invented the entire story out of whole cloth.

CONTEXTUAL

The reporter realized the scandalous rumors were made up out of whole cloth to damage the politician's reputation.

COMPLEX

The defense attorney argued that the prosecution's entire case was fabricated out of whole cloth, lacking any physical evidence or credible witness testimony.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cut from the same cloth

    Of two or more persons or things, very similar; possessing many of the same fundamental characteristics.

  2. 02

    cut one's cloth to suit one's purse

    To settle for less when money or resources are limited.

  3. 03

    cut one's coat according to one's cloth

    To live within one's means, without spending more than is affordable.

  4. 04

    go the whole hog

    To do something as completely or entirely as possible; to hold back or reserve nothing.

  5. 05

    have the whole bakery

    To have large, callipygian buttocks; to be caked up.

  6. 06

    smoke the whole pack

    To be made to go all in on something one only wanted a lesser amount of.

  7. 07

    the whole world and his dog

    Everybody; too many people; a huge crowd.

  8. 08

    whole ball of wax

    The entire or overall plan, concept or action.

© 2026 English Reference