Meaning: This idiom means from the very beginning or throughout a particular period of time.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “She knew all along that the surprise party was for her, but she pretended to be surprised.”
- “He suspected all along that something was wrong, but he didn’t say anything.”
- “I thought I was lost, but I was on the right path all along.”
Origin: The idiom “all along” is straightforward and has been used in English for centuries. It simply emphasizes that something has been the case throughout the entire duration of a situation or event. The phrase doesn’t have a particularly complex origin; rather, it arises from the literal meanings of “all” (meaning the entire time) and “along” (meaning throughout the course of something). It’s a way of indicating that something has been true or present from the start, often in a way that wasn’t initially obvious.
