jack of all trades

jack of all trades
jack of all trades
someone who can do several different jobs instead of specializing in one. •

John can do plumbing, carpentry, and roofing—a real jack of all trades. He isn't very good at any of them.

Take your car to a certified engine mechanic, not a jack of all trades.

* * *
{n.}, {informal} (Often followed by the words "master of none.") A person who is knowledgeable in many areas. Can be used as praise, or as a derogatory remark depending on the context and the intonation. * /Peter is a jack of all trades; he can survive anywhere!/ * /"How come Joe did such a sloppy job?" Mary asked. "He's a jack of all trades," Sally answered./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • jack of all trades — {n.}, {informal} (Often followed by the words master of none. ) A person who is knowledgeable in many areas. Can be used as praise, or as a derogatory remark depending on the context and the intonation. * /Peter is a jack of all trades; he can… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Jack of all trades — steht für: Jack of All Trades (Band), eine deutsche Band aus dem Jahr 1998, die heute unter dem Namen Polarkreis 18 bekannt ist. Jack of All Trades (Sprichwort), das englische Pendant zu Hansdampf in allen Gassen eine umgangssprachliche… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Jack-at-all-trades — Jack Jack (j[a^]k), n. [F. Jacques James, L. Jacobus, Gr. ?, Heb. Ya aq[=o]b Jacob; prop., seizing by the heel; hence, a supplanter. Cf. {Jacobite}, {Jockey}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A familiar nickname of, or substitute for, John. [1913 Webster] You… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • jack-of-all-trades — A jack of all trades is someone that can do many different jobs …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • jack-of-all-trades — jack of all′ trades′ n. pl. jacks of all trades a person who is adept at many different kinds of work • Etymology: 1610–20 …   From formal English to slang

  • jack-of-all-trades — [jak′əv ôl trādz′] n. pl. jacks of all trades [often J ] 1. a person who can do many kinds of work acceptably 2. a handyman …   English World dictionary

  • jack of all trades — ► jack of all trades (and master of none) a person who can do many different types of work (but has special skill in none). Main Entry: ↑jack …   English terms dictionary

  • jack-of-all-trades — n [singular] someone who can do many different types of work, but who often is not very skilled at any of them …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • jack-of-all-trades — jack of all ,trades noun count someone who can do many types of work …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • jack-of-all-trades — ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun (plural jacks of all trades) Usage: sometimes capitalized J : a person who can do passable work at various trades : a handy or versatile individual was expected to be a jack of all trades Patricia M. Johnson every man… …   Useful english dictionary

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