The phrase "whole kit and caboodle" is an idiomatic expression used to refer to the entirety or complete package of something. It is colloquially used to describe the entirety of a group of objects, individuals, or a situation, emphasizing that nothing has been excluded or left out.
The term "kit" originally referred to a collection or set of tools or objects needed for a specific purpose. "Caboodle" is thought to have derived from the Dutch word "boedel," meaning property, which evolved to reference a group or collection of items. Hence, when used together in the phrase, "kit and caboodle" implies the entirety of a collection or all elements involved in a certain matter.
The expression is often employed in informal conversations or casual contexts to convey completeness or the totality of something. For example, one might say, "They bought the whole kit and caboodle," indicating that everything related to a particular purchase was included, such as accessories, parts, or additional items. Figuratively, it can also be used to describe the completion of a task or the involvement of every person or item concerned, as in "He organized the whole kit and caboodle for the event."
In summary, "whole kit and caboodle" is a widely used idiomatic phrase to describe the entirety or completeness of a group, collection, or situation, underscoring that all parts or elements have been included.
