The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท N

No stone unturned

Meaning

To look everywhere possible or do absolutely everything in your power to accomplish a task. It implies a thorough and exhaustive search.

Determined, professional

Used in a sentence

  • The detectives promised they would leave no stone unturned in the search for the missing keys.
  • We are leaving no stone unturned as we plan the perfect family reunion for this summer.
  • She promised her client that she would leave no stone unturned while researching the property title.

The backstory

The phrase comes from an ancient Greek legend about Polycrates, who was told to look under every stone to find a hidden treasure. It has been used in English literature for centuries to describe diligent searching.

Heard in

Nationwide

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