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every little thing

every little thing

23 1.6
All small details of a person's life or a situation
  • idiom
translation icon : cada detalle
  • I don't see why I have to do every little thing for you.
  • every little thing that goes
  • nitpicking every little thing
  • tell you every little thing

You know, I was picking up on every little thing that could pop up in our script.

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Examples

  • I needed to just, like get out, and stop thinking, worrying about every little thing in my life.

  • You can't go through life nitpicking every little thing.

  • You had a song for every little thing in your life.

  • I make such a big deal out of every little thing.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You think I tell you every little thing?

    Fiction book (1999)
  • My parents are always around, wanting to know every little thing I do.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I know what you mean about wanting to protect our children from every little thing that happens.

    Blog text (27)
  • She was always on my case about every little thing.

  • If I start my day in silence and with a nice sunset, then every little thing is gonna be alright and nothing can bring me down that day.

  • You had a song for every little thing in your life.

Synonyms

every bit of
vsevery little thing
45 2.0

All of something, including very small parts

focuses on each specific detail or aspect rather than general total amount
every nook and cranny
vsevery little thing
  • Informal
7 4.1

Every small or hidden part of a place where things can hide

refers to aspects or details of life or situations rather than physical spaces
everything
vsevery little thing
1 1.0

All the things that matter most to a person

means every single detail or aspect, not only the important parts
jot and tittle
vsevery little thing
  • Informal
9.9

Every small detail that must be exact

is broader, covering all aspects rather than only the tiniest parts

Antonyms

1.0

Not any of a group of people or things

How Complete

every little thing
23 1.6
everything
1.0
many
9 1.0
some
1.0
detail
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

every + little + thing

The meaning 'every detail or aspect' is directly derived from composing 'every' (each) + 'little' (small/trivial) + 'thing' (item), producing 'each small thing' which naturally maps to 'every detail.' This follows a regular quantifier + adjective + noun pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Every little thing paints a simple picture: every little thing is noticed, like tiny pieces that together make the whole. That's why it means 'every detail' or 'every part' of a life or situation.