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The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms » all right
all right
all right idiom
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Completely correct, as in You have a perfect score—your answers are all right. (It could just as well be put as “all your answers are right.”)
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In proper or working order, in a satisfactory way, as in The engine is running all right now. [Late 1800s] Also see turn out all right.
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In good health, as in John had the flu, but he's all right now. [Early 1900s]
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Not injured, safe, as in It was just a minor accident and everyone is all right. [Early 1900s]
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Very well, yes, as in Do you want to leave now?—All right, or All right, we'll stay home. [First half of 1800s] Also see all right with you.
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Certainly, without a doubt, as in It's late all right, but it will probably come today. [Mid-1800s]
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Hurrah! Good for you, as in All right! your team has done it again! [Slang; mid-1900s]
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Also, all-right. Good, satisfactory. For example, This restaurant is all right, or Harry is an all-right guy. [Slang; mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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