Phrase guide

from soup to nuts

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

From the first course of a meal to the last.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

From start to finish, from beginning to end; throughout.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, figuratively, informal

Examples

  • We went through the whole agenda, from soup to nuts.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: from A to Z, from soda to hock, from aardvark to zymurgy

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the order of courses in a formal full-course dinner, which typically begins with soup and ends with a dessert such as nuts.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Polish: od A do Z — from the first course of the meal to the last
  • Serbo-Croatian: od predjela do deserta — from the first course of the meal to the last
  • Spanish: desde [la] sopa a [las] nueces — from the first course of the meal to the last
  • Dutch: Van A tot Z. — from beginning to end
  • French: de A à Z — from beginning to end
  • Latin: ab ovo usque ad mala — from beginning to end
  • Polish: od A do Z — from beginning to end
  • Serbo-Croatian: od glave do repa — from beginning to end
  • Spanish: desde [el] comienzo hasta [el] fin — from beginning to end