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[TALA]

Can anybody tell me the meaning (or hidden meaning) of this expression: all-too-XXX?
I have seen this sort of expression: all-too-typical, all-too-real, etc.
It is used as an adjective to describe a noun.
And how to create such expression?

thank you

[CP]

I'll take a stab at this one. It's a good question, because native speakers probably never think of the expression as troubling, and ESL learners probably puzzle over it.

Here's a sample use: "Terrorism is an all too real danger that travelers must take into account these days." The use of "all too real" (or with hyphens, "all-too-real") instead of just "real" conveys the impression that it is regrettable or saddening but true. It puts a little spotlight on "real" and gives it a little deeper meaning, as though to say, "I hate to tell you this, but this is the fact," or something like that.

A similar effect is achieved with "only too X." "The divorce statistics may be surprising, but they are only too true." I wish it were otherwise, but those are the cold, hard facts that we must deal with.

You wouldn't want to overuse the expressions, but when needed, they can add something important to an essay or conversation.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[TALA]

Thank you very much CP. Does the second fixed expression (only tooX) mean the same thing as (too good to be X)?
I've heard the expression like "too good to be true".
Thank you.

[CP]

"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." That's a typical warning to give to someone who is tempted by an offer of something for nothing. If you get the same e-mails that I do, by people offering to give you millions of dollars, ignore them. The offers are too good to be true.

If your friend is swept off her feet by a man who says and does all the right things, but you suspect that he is a phony, you might tell her that he seems too good to be true. If it turns out that you were right, your friend might remember what you told her, then say, "Oh, Tala, he was a beast after all. You said he was too good to be true. You were only too right!"

You are using the expression that means there must be something wrong here, because what meets the eye is suspiciously too perfect. She is using the expression that means, sadly, unfortunately, you were right after all, but I wish it were not so.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb