Meaning & use
all stripes
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UK/ˌɔːl ˈstraɪps/
US/ˌɔːl ˈstraɪps/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
of every kind, type, or opinion; used to describe a group with many different members
Grammar: Comes after a noun, often with 'of': people of all stripes.
Patterns
- people of all stripes
- politicians of all stripes
- of all stripes
The conference attracted scientists of all stripes, from students to Nobel winners.
Voters of all stripes agreed that the new road was needed.
The festival brings together musicians of all stripes.
Common combinations
- people of all stripes
- People of all stripes came to the town meeting.
- politicians of all stripes
- Politicians of all stripes supported the bill.
- voters of all stripes
- Voters of all stripes were unhappy with the result.
- critics of all stripes
- Critics of all stripes praised the film.
Synonyms and how they differ
- all kinds
- More general and neutral; 'all stripes' often suggests different opinions or groups, not just different types.
- every description
- Formal and slightly old-fashioned; 'all stripes' is more common in modern journalism.
Commonly confused: all stripes or all strips?
all stripes vs all strips
Not a phrase. 'Stripes' are long narrow bands; 'strips' are long narrow pieces.
Practice
The charity event was supported by volunteers ______.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'of all stripes', meaning 'of every kind'. The other prepositions do not fit this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “all stripes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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