all told
Meaning
In total; when everything is counted or considered; altogether.
Origin
From the literal sense of “told” meaning “counted” (as in “teller” or “tally”). It evolved into a fixed phrase meaning “in total/altogether.”
Notes
Means “in total/altogether,” and can also mean “taking everything into account.” Slightly more formal or written than “in total.”
Examples
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All told, the project took six months from planning to launch.
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There were twenty guests all told, including the kids.
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All told, we spent about $300 on food and decorations.
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All told, her injuries were minor, and she was back at work within a week.
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We visited three cities and drove nearly 900 miles all told.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase often used parenthetically: “All told, …” or after a clause: “…, all told.” Not used with an object; “told” here isn’t the past of “tell” meaning “inform.”
Synonyms
- in total
- altogether
- all in all
- in all
Antonyms
- in part
- partly