| Idiom | Fill the Bill |
|---|---|
| Example | The decorator said that a tall potted palm in this corner would fill the bill. |
| Meaning | to be just the perfect thing that is needed; to be very competent, effective |
| Origin | One of the many meanings of "bill" is a list of acts being presented in a theater. In the 1800s an audience expected to enjoy a full bill of singers, dancers, jugglers, and comedians. To be sure that the audience was satisfied with the evening's lineup, the theater manager sometimes added acts to "fill the bill." Today the meaning has broadened to anything or anyone that meets a need or is just right for a purpose. |
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