out-and-out

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Adjective

out-and-out (used only before a noun, attributively)

1. Complete, utter.

   He is an out-and-out idiot.

   out-and-out lie

   • 1998, Douglas Adams, speech at Cambridge, UK.

     I'm sure most of the people in this room will share the same view, but even as an out-and-out atheist one can't help noticing that the role of a god has had an enormously profound impact on human history over many, many centuries.

2. (animal husbandry) thoroughly cross-bred; a breeding strategy esp. with poultry where new roosters are circulated yearly to maintain a mongrel flock.

   For my own part I would sooner eat bread-and-cheese and know myself the possessor of an out-and-out horse, than sell him for the privilege of dining with the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen every day in the year.

   • 1840, The Sporting Magazine, May 1840, Vol XXI Second Series

Synonyms

• altogether
• downright
• through and through
• See also Thesaurus:total

Translations

• German: durch und durch
• Italian: spaccato
• Spanish: a carta cabal, de aúpa, de tomo y lomo, puro y duro

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