by all means

by all means idiom
  1. Also, by all manner of means. In every possible way, as in I plan to make use of him by all means. [Late 1400s]
  2. Also, by all manner of means. Without fail, at any cost, as in Losing the contract is to be avoided by all means. [c. 1600]
  3. Certainly, yes, as in Are you coming tonight?—By all means, I'll be there. [Late 1600s] Also see by any means; by no means.

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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