all in the family: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  American EnglishBritish Englishneutralinformal
  • Consisting entirely of or restricted to members of the same family; among relatives.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The reunion was all in the family, with cousins, aunts, and uncles gathering to share stories.

    La reunión fue completamente familiar, con primos, tías y tíos reuniéndose para compartir historias.

  • For the wedding, the guest list was all in the family, keeping it a small and intimate affair.

    Para la boda, la lista de invitados fue completamente familiar, manteniéndola pequeña e íntima.

  • Their business remains all in the family, passed down through generations without outside partners.

    Su negocio sigue siendo completamente familiar, transmitido a través de generaciones sin socios externos.

• 2.

  American EnglishBritish Englishinformal
  • Used to dismiss criticism or concern by noting that the situation affects only family members and is therefore acceptable or not problematic.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Sure, there was some messy drama, but it was all in the family, so we decided not to get involved.

    Claro, hubo algo de drama complicado, pero era todo en familia, así que decidimos no involucrarnos.

  • The arguments were intense, but since it was all in the family, outsiders were advised to stay out of it.

    Las discusiones fueron intensas, pero dado que era todo en familia, se aconsejó a los extraños no involucrarse.

  • People were worried about the nepotism, but the company said it was all in the family and therefore acceptable.

    La gente estaba preocupada por el nepotismo, pero la empresa dijo que era todo en familia y por eso aceptable.

• 3.

  American EnglishBritish Englishinformal
  • Pertaining to matters, roles, or benefits that are kept within a family circle.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The inheritance was kept all in the family, ensuring that none of the assets left to outsiders.

    La herencia se mantuvo completamente en la familia, asegurando que ninguno de los bienes saliera a terceros.

  • The leadership roles were all in the family, with relatives filling every key position in the organization.

    Los roles de liderazgo estaban todos en la familia, con parientes ocupando cada puesto clave en la organización.

  • Hiring decisions were all in the family, which led to accusations of favoritism and bias.

    Las decisiones de contratación estaban todas en la familia, lo que llevó a acusaciones de favoritismo y parcialidad.

• 4.

  American EnglishBritish Englishinformal
  • Implying nepotism or preferential treatment because those involved are family.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The inheritance was kept all in the family, ensuring that none of the assets left to outsiders.

    La herencia se mantuvo completamente en la familia, asegurando que ninguno de los bienes saliera a terceros.

  • The leadership roles were all in the family, with relatives filling every key position in the organization.

    Los roles de liderazgo estaban todos en la familia, con parientes ocupando cada puesto clave en la organización.

  • Hiring decisions were all in the family, which led to accusations of favoritism and bias.

    Las decisiones de contratación estaban todas en la familia, lo que llevó a acusaciones de favoritismo y parcialidad.