Quick answer: “Jack of all trades” means A person who can do many different jobs reasonably well.
Jack of all trades — A person who can do many different jobs or skills reasonably well, rather than specialising in just one. It can be used as praise for versatility or, in its fuller form, as mild criticism of a lack of deep expertise.
Origin & History
'Jack' was a common generic name for an ordinary working man in medieval and early modern England, used in many expressions such as 'jack-of-the-clock'. 'Jack of all trades' described a handyman capable of many different tasks.
The fuller, more critical version — 'jack of all trades, master of none' — became popular later to suggest breadth of skill without depth, though the shorter phrase is often used as a simple compliment today. Learners who want to check other figurative expressions can consult general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which document how such idioms are used today.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| As a small business owner, she's a jack of all trades — accountant, marketer, and cleaner all in one. | Small business |
| He's a jack of all trades on set, handling lighting, sound, and camera work. | Film production |
| Being a jack of all trades helped him fix the leak himself instead of calling a plumber. | DIY |
| The startup needed a jack of all trades who could wear many hats. | Hiring |
Dialogue Example
A: How does he manage the whole farm alone?
B: He's a real jack of all trades — carpentry, mechanics, accounts, all of it.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
She's a jack of all trade.
She's a jack of all trades. — 'Trades' is plural in the fixed phrase.
He's a jack of the all trades.
He's a jack of all trades. — No extra article 'the' before 'all trades'.
She's the jack of all trades master of none, so hire someone else.
She's a jack of all trades, master of none. — The full version needs 'a', not 'the', and depends on tone; it can also simply mean versatile.
Similar Idioms
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Quick Check: Jack of all trades
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Jack of all trades” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “As a small business owner, she's a _____ — accountant, marketer, and cleaner all in one.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "jack of all trades" mean?
"Jack of all trades" describes a person who can do many different jobs or skills reasonably well, rather than specialising in just one.
Where does "jack of all trades" come from?
'Jack' was a generic name for an ordinary working man in medieval England. 'Jack of all trades' described a handyman skilled at many tasks; the fuller phrase 'master of none' came later.
Can you give an example of "jack of all trades" in a sentence?
"As a small business owner, she's a jack of all trades — accountant, marketer, and cleaner all in one."
Is "jack of all trades" formal or informal?
It is neutral to informal and common in everyday conversation, job descriptions, and casual writing.
What CEFR level is "jack of all trades"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level, as it requires understanding a figurative comparison and a common cultural reference.
What are common mistakes with "jack of all trades"?
Common mistakes include using the singular 'trade' instead of 'trades', or adding an unnecessary article before 'all trades'.
What idioms are similar to "jack of all trades"?
Similar idioms include: Wear many hats, All-rounder, Know a bit of everything. These describe versatility across many skills.
How do I practise idioms like "jack of all trades"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises help you practise idioms like this — try describing someone versatile you know.
Can "jack of all trades" be used in writing?
Yes, it is common in CVs, job adverts, articles, and informal writing to describe versatile people.
Does "jack of all trades" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, the phrase is understood identically in both, and is widely used across all major varieties of English.