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• across-the-board
  across-the-board

  adjective

  applying to all employees, members, groups, or categories; general.
• across the board
  across the board

  Applying to all the individuals in a group, as in They promised us an across-the-board tax cut, that is, one applying to all taxpayers, regardless of income. This expression comes from horse racing, where it refers to a bet that covers all possible ways of winning money on a race: win (first), place (second), or show (third). The board here is the notice-board on which the races and betting odds are listed. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

across-the-board

American  

[uh-kraws-thuh-bawrd, -bohrd, uh-kros-] / əˈkrɔs ðəˈbɔrd, -ˈboʊrd, əˈkrɒs- /

adjective

1. applying to all employees, members, groups, or categories; general.

   The across-the-board pay increase means a raise for all employees.

2. (of a bet) covering all possibilities of winning on a given result, especially by placing a combination bet on one horse in a race for win, place, and show.

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across-the-board British  

adjective

1. (of salary increases, taxation cuts, etc) affecting all levels or classes equally

2. horse racing the US term for each way

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across the board Idioms  

1. Applying to all the individuals in a group, as in They promised us an across-the-board tax cut, that is, one applying to all taxpayers, regardless of income. This expression comes from horse racing, where it refers to a bet that covers all possible ways of winning money on a race: win (first), place (second), or show (third). The board here is the notice-board on which the races and betting odds are listed. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

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Etymology

Origin of across-the-board

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

across-the-board across the board

“We’re seeing across-the-board reduction of school attendance, substantial reduction in employees showing up to farm operations, packing sheds and in the fields. Construction has essentially come to a halt,” Arias said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

But in order to prevent an across-the-board cut to benefits, Congress must make changes to shore up the program.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

The move to an across-the-board tariff of 10%, with carve-outs for some kinds of goods, had already reset the competitive landscape, putting shipments from all countries on even footing.

From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2026

According to Capital Economics, the replacement of the country-specific duties with an across-the-board charge of 10% lowers the average U.S. effective tariff rate to 10.4% from 14.1%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026

I've never considered myself an across-the-board apologist for the French, but there's a lot to be said for an entire population that never, under any circumstances, talks during the picture.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

But he added that rates have also been rising, with sharper increases in recent years as the utility catches up on infrastructure spending at a time when costs have gone up across the board.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Ultimately, the motive is for everyone to make the journey across the board.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Stocks gained across the board in Europe as the continent-wide Stoxx 600 rose 0.7% in early trade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

"So yes, 20 percent reduction across the board," he said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

I watch as Danielle hops across the board, as graceful and light as always.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

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