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To All Intents and Purposes

What Does "To All Intents and Purposes" Mean?

homeidiomsTo All Intents and Purposes
"To all intents and purposes" is an English idiom. It means "in practical terms; considering all relevant factors; essentially or virtually."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "to all intents and purposes" used in a sentence:
  • The old factory had been abandoned for years and was, to all intents and purposes, a ghost town.
  • The merger of the two companies was complete, and they now operated as one entity to all intents and purposes.
  • To all intents and purposes, the project was a success, meeting all its objectives and goals.
meaning for to all intents and purposes

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "To All Intents and Purposes" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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