like all possessed
- idiom
- Informal
- He ran like all possessed to catch the bus.
Examples
-
During the final minutes, the team fought like all possessed to win the game.
-
She cleaned the house like all possessed before her guests arrived.
-
The children ran around the yard like all possessed until they were exhausted.
-
She danced like all possessed at the party!
-
The dog chased the ball like all possessed, showing its excitement.
-
The workers painted the fence like all possessed, eager to finish before the deadline.
-
She studied for the exam like all possessed, determined to achieve success.
Synonyms
98
7.9
Happening very quickly, with great effort or very strongly
87
3.1
In a very strong or focused way
13
8.1
Act very quickly and with great effort
11
5.6
In a very strong and angry way
8
8.2
Very quickly and with great energy
5
7.9
In a very wild and excited way without control
4
7.3
Showing very strong, often angry feelings that seem unreasonable
3
7.6
Act with very strong, urgent energy and full focus
3
7.4
To do something with great energy and effort
1
7.4
In a way that makes people feel fear or respect
1
7.8
In a very urgent and determined way as if everything depended on it
1
8.9
In a way that is extremely intense and unreasonable
1
8.4
In a way that shows great energy, speed, or skill
1
9.7
In a very excited and wild way
1
7.9
They try very hard and fast, as if they would lose everything
1
9.8
In a wild, frenzied way as if possessed by an evil spirit
In a very energetic and excited way
Doing something suddenly and forcefully without thinking because you are very eager
Antonyms
How Energetic
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is largely based on the literal meanings of the constituents—'like' (as if) and 'possessed' (controlled by a powerful force)—with 'all' functioning as an intensifier, so a learner who knows the words can approximate the meaning 'as if driven/frantic'. However, the fixed colloquial construction 'like all possessed' and its idiomatic intensifying use are not fully predictable from rules of composition alone, so full comprehension of nuance and register may require exposure.
Etymology
The phrase like all possessed may come from old ideas about people who were possessed by a spirit or demon, who moved and acted wildly and with great energy. So, saying someone did something like all possessed means they did it 'with wild energy'.