anything goes

Idioms

Everything is permitted, as in You're wearing sneakers to the office?—Why not? Anything goes these days. This idiom began life as everything goes, which appeared in George Meredith's novel The Egoist (1879). In America anything was the preferred word, which gained further currency with Cole Porter's use of the term as the title of his 1934 song and musical comedy, Anything Goes!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because this alt comedy makes no bones about its characters or situations being even remotely logical or realistic, anything goes — and does.

From Los Angeles Times

“Experts also advise traveling in groups and bringing a satellite communication device to contact help if anything goes wrong.”

From Los Angeles Times

So, when anything goes awry, it is not surprising that people watch closely to see what they can learn.

From BBC

“I want you to know that you will not be in danger at any moment, Nell. If anything goes awry, we will all be there for you. Do not panic.”

From Literature

"That if anything goes wrong politically, Nigeria must take responsibility," Anshuur said.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023