The phrase "all told" means the total amount or number of something. Its spelling may seem confusing as "all" and "told" have different vowel sounds, but the pronunciation of the phrase is "awl tohld". The first syllable, "all", is pronounced with the "aw" diphthong (/ɔː/), while the second syllable, "told", is pronounced with the "oh" vowel (/oʊ/). The spelling of "all told" reflects the complex sound changes that occur in English words over time.
The phrase "all told" is an idiomatic expression used to indicate the complete sum or total of something, typically in terms of number, quantity, or extent. It is often used to give a full account or to provide a comprehensive overview of a particular situation or set of information. In this sense, "all told" can be understood as an adverb phrase that means "considering everything" or "including everything that has been mentioned or is relevant."
When used in conversations or written contexts, "all told" generally conveys the idea of presenting a comprehensive summary or concluding assessment. For example, if someone is discussing the number of attendees at an event, they might say, "There were 100 people in total, all told." In this instance, "all told" emphasizes that the mentioned amount represents the complete figure and leaves no room for further scrutiny or consideration.
The term can also be employed to denote a cumulative amount or the combined total of several individual quantities. For instance, if a person is describing the cost of remodeling their house, they might say, "The renovations cost $50,000 all told." Here, "all told" highlights that the given amount includes the entire investment made, encompassing various expenses and components.
Overall, "all told" serves as a concise way to indicate the entirety or inclusivity of something, reinforcing the understanding that all relevant aspects or figures have been accounted for or considered.
The phrase "all told" originated in the mid-19th century and is derived from the verb "tell" meaning "to count, number, or sum up". In this context, "told" is the past participle of "tell". When used in the phrase "all told", it means "altogether", "in total", or "in sum". The word "all" emphasizes that the entirety of something is included, while "told" indicates that the count, number, or sum has been communicated or accounted for.