B2idiomworkIELTS-friendly
a jack of all trades
USUK
a person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
Often positive. The full saying, 'a jack of all trades, master of none', is a criticism: good at many things but expert at none.
In context
My dad is a jack of all trades: he can fix pipes, wires and motorbikes.
Small companies often look for a jack of all trades rather than a specialist.
Common mistake
Incorrect: He's a jack of all trade.
Correct: He's a jack of all trades.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money
- a nine-to-five joba regular office job with fixed hours, usually from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.