jack of all trades
Meaning
A person who can do many different kinds of tasks, often without being an expert in any one of them.
Origin
From early modern English (1600s) where “Jack” meant an ordinary man; the full proverb is “a jack of all trades, master of none,” cautioning against lack of specialization.
Notes
Can be praise (versatile) or mildly negative (not specialized). Often shortened from the fuller saying “...master of none.” Context sets tone.
Examples
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He’s a jack of all trades—he can fix the sink, design a logo, and cook dinner without breaking a sweat.
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As a startup employee, you end up being a jack of all trades, switching from sales calls to customer support in the same hour.
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I’m a bit of a jack of all trades, so I freelance in writing, photography, and web design.
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She’s a jack of all trades, but she finally decided to specialize in data science to advance her career.
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The team needs a jack of all trades who can jump in wherever the workload spikes.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a noun phrase: “a jack of all trades.” Often followed by “master of none” (optional). Plural: “jacks of all trades.”
Synonyms
- generalist
- all-rounder
- handyman
- multitalented person
Antonyms
- specialist
- master of one trade
- expert