on all hands

on all hands

1. By more or less everybody; generally.

   It was believed on all hands that the two of them were having an illicit affair.

   • 1710, George Berkeley, “Introduction”, in A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge. […], Dublin: […] Aaron Rhames, for Jeremy [i.e., Jeremiah] Pepyat, […], →OCLC, § 14, page 20:

     And it is on all Hands agreed that there is need of great Toil and Labour of the Mind, to Emancipate our Thoughts from particular Objects, and raiſe them to thoſe Sublime Speculations that are converſant about abſtract Ideas.

   • 1748, [David Hume], “Essay X. Of Miracles.”, in Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, part I, page 173:

     ’Tis acknovvledg’d on all hands, ſays that learned Prelate, that the Authority, either of the Scripture or of Tradition, is founded merely on the Teſtimony of the Apoſtles, vvho vvere Eye-vvitneſſes to thoſe Miracles of our Saviour, by vvhich he prov’d his divine Miſſion.

2. From all sides; from every direction.