by all means

FORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase by all means

Meaning

You can say this to politely give someone permission to do something.

For example

  • "Do you mind if I bring some friends?"
    "By all means. Bring as many as you like."

  • I asked her if I could come again, and she smiled and said, "By all means."

Quick Quiz

My boss said "By all means" after I'd asked her if I could

a. make some suggestions

b. make some mistakes

c. make some excuses
a) make some suggestions b) make some mistakes c) make some excuses

Contributor: Matt Errey