You name it means anything you can think of. It closes a list and says there's even more: I've tried buses, bikes, shared cars — you name it. It's often continued: you name it, we've got it — 'whatever you ask for, we have it', a favourite line of shops and workshops. It's conversational.
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examples + you name it; you name it, we've got it / tried it
- The workshop has spare screws, cables, switches — you name it.
- I've tried buses, bikes, shared cars — you name it.
- Need paper, paint or brushes? You name it, the art room has it.
What changed
First versionThe shop sells notebooks, folders, pens — you call it.
RevisionThe shop sells notebooks, folders, pens — you name it.
Name and call both seem to fit the idea of saying what something is, so you call it looks possible. But the phrase uses only name: you name it. Call is for giving something a name: we call it the blue room.
And so on simply shortens a list: pens, paper and so on. You name it adds scale: 'and anything else that comes to mind'. In an essay, and so on or such as fits better; keep you name it for conversation.
Your turn
Complete the expression meaning 'almost anything you can think of': You ___ it, we've tried it.
Show the answer
name — The fixed phrase uses the verb name: you name it, we've tried it. It is never said with call.
Describe everything that ends up in your desk drawer or storage cupboard in one sentence with you name it.
That drawer has string, batteries, spare buttons — you name it.
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