running the gamut
Covering all possibilities
Running the gamut means covering an entire range or spectrum from one extreme to another.
A gamut was originally a musical scale spanning all notes from lowest to highest.
The phrase emphasizes completeness of range: Her emotions ran the gamut from rage to despair.
The reviews ran the gamut—some loved it, others called it unwatchable.
- differingBeing unlike another
- varyingChanging in degree
- disparateEssentially different in kind
- diverseOf many types
- breadthExtent across something
continuum · exhaustive · comprehensive · whole nine yards · sequence · spectrum · emotional spectrum · soup to nuts · excitement · joy · fear · sorrow · curiosity · nostalgia · hope · full circle · highs and lows · despair
running the gamutnarrow
Of small width
limited · partial · restricted · selective · confined
running the gamutcherry-picking
Choosing only supporting examples
handpicking · excluding · omitting · narrowing down · leaving out