whole ball of wax

English

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

(idiomatic, slang) The entire or overall plan, concept or action.
The whole ball of wax will be viewed in 5 minutes.

In my opinion the whole ball of wax depends on what she'll say.
- 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 380:
  Of course I have to take a little advantage. After all, I'm the guy who puts the thing together—the whole ball of wax.
(idiomatic, slang) Everything of a similar or related nature; everything necessary for a particular purpose.
Synonyms: see Thesaurus:everything

We've got pots, pans, the food and cooking utensils—the whole ball of wax.