The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท A

All over but the shouting

Meaning

Used to indicate that a competition or event has essentially been decided and the outcome is certain. Any remaining activity is just a formality.

Resigned, final

Used in a sentence

  • The score is fifty to ten, so it is all over but the shouting.
  • We have already secured the contract, so the meeting is all over but the shouting.
  • Once they announced the winner, the race was all over but the shouting.

The backstory

Likely stems from political elections where the counting is done and the results are clear, leaving only the celebratory cheering or protest shouting to finish.

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