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Glite Dictionary
to have someone's name written all over it

to have someone's name written all over it

1 8.2
To show clearly that something is typical of a person or made by them
  • idiom
translation icon : llevar el sello de alguien
  • The team project has Jake's name written all over it; he contributed the most ideas.

Examples

  • Now I have a case that has my name written all over it!

    Blog text (12)

  • This new art piece definitely has her name written all over it.

  • If there is, that has Edward's name written all over it.

    Blog text (22)

  • If there is, that has Edward's name written all over it.

    Blog text (22)

  • And this old wire store basket had my name written all over it—wish

    Blog text (2)

  • The elegant design of the dress has my sister's name written all over it.

Synonyms

to put one's stamp on
vsto have someone's name written all over it
1 6.0

To give something your own style

is about something naturally showing clear signs of being caused by a person

Antonyms

non-typical
4.8

Not usual or expected

How Typical

to have someone's name written all over it
1 8.2
typical
843 1.0

Surface Forms

have someone's name written all over it infinitive
had someone's name written all over it past
had someone's name written all over it past participle
having someone's name written all over it present participle
has someone's name written all over it third person singular

Morphology

have + someone's + name + written + all + over + it

The literal words evoke an image of a person's name physically covering an object, which can suggest authorship, ownership, or strong association; this gives a plausible link to the idiomatic sense ‘very typical of someone’ or ‘meant for them’. However, the figurative leap from a literal inscription to the evaluative sense is metaphorical and pragmatically driven, so a B1 learner who knows the parts may suspect a relation but would not reliably derive the exact idiomatic meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Have someone's name written all over it comes from the simple image of writing a person's name all over an object to show it belongs to them. So, if something 'has someone's name written all over it', it is a clear sign the thing fits or comes from that person, meaning it is 'very typical of someone'.