What is soup to nuts?

"Soup to nuts" is an idiomatic expression that means "from beginning to end" or covering something comprehensively. It originates from traditional full-course dinners in the United States, where meals would often start with soup and end with a dessert, such as nuts. Over time, the phrase evolved to represent any thorough or all-encompassing process or experience, not limited to dining.

In different contexts, "soup to nuts" can refer to:

1. Business and Project Management: When describing a project, saying it covers "soup to nuts" suggests that all phases, from initial planning to the final implementation and review, are included. It's an assurance of completeness.

2. Event Planning: If an event is organized "soup to nuts," it means every detail, from the invitation design to the post-event cleanup, is taken care of.

3. Culinary: In a literal sense, the expression can still refer to meals that cover the full spectrum of courses, but it's more commonly used metaphorically today.

Overall, the phrase accentuates thoroughness and attention to every aspect of a given task or process.