the world and his wife

US /ðə wɜːrld ænd hɪz waɪf/
UK /ðə wɜːrld ænd hɪz waɪf/
"the world and his wife" picture
1.

a very large number of people; everyone

:
When the new store opened, the world and his wife were there.
Don't tell anyone, or soon the world and his wife will know.