in the course of

Idioms  

1. Also, during the course of. In the process or progress of, as in the famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence (1776), “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands ...” These phrases have been criticized as needlessly wordy (in or during alone are adequate), but they have an emphatic rhythm that keeps them alive. [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

One of the greatest scoops in the course of human events appeared in a German-language newspaper in Philadelphia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

It was only in the course of appealing the family court ruling did Torres Campos’ lawyer mention that the two cited precedents were “invented case law.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

And yet, as you said, Bondi is now claiming the power to stop state bars from investigating DOJ lawyers for ethical violations in the course of their duties.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

“Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law.”

From Salon • Mar. 3, 2026

Somehow in the course of her life Sourmelina had become an American.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides