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AI for Breakfast
Post 172 - It’s the weekend - Idiom of the day
Pack up, lock, stock and barrel.
Figurative meaning
"Pack up lock, stock, and barrel" means to pack up everything completely, leaving nothing behind. It emphasizes the idea of taking every part and detail when moving or leaving a place.
Typical usage
This idiom is often used when someone is moving to a new home or location, closing a business, or making a significant change that involves taking all possessions and belongings. For example, "After living in the city for ten years, they decided to pack up lock, stock, and barrel and move to the countryside."
Origin
The phrase "lock, stock, and barrel" originated in the 19th century and refers to the three main components of a firearm.
The lock is the firing mechanism, the stock is the handle, and the barrel is the tube through which the bullet is fired. Together, they represent the entirety of the gun, and by extension, the phrase came to mean everything or the whole of something.
The expression likely evolved from the thorough and complete nature of the firearm's parts, suggesting that nothing is left out. It gained popularity in the 19th century and has been used in various contexts to imply taking everything in a comprehensive manner.
