by and large

British  

adverb

1. in general; on the whole

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by and large Idioms  

1. For the most part, generally speaking, as in By and large the novel was a success. This expression originated in 17th-century seamanship, where it referred to sailing into the wind and then off it, which made it easier to steer. By the early 1700s the term had been broadened to mean “in one direction and another,” whence its present meaning of “in general.” For a synonym, see for the most part.

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Etymology

Origin of by and large

C17: originally nautical (meaning: to the wind and off it)

Example Sentences

"It's by and large unifying, in terms of the social impact."

From BBC

Markets have, by and large, maintained their composure in the face of a 60% rise in the price of Brent in the last month.

From MarketWatch

James J. Kimble, a communication professor and propaganda historian at Seton Hall University, said U.S. presidents have “by and large” struck a respectful tone in wartime, though there are some exceptions.

From Los Angeles Times

"Australians can do American pretty well by and large, because we come from a fairly neutral place," she said.

From Barron's

But by and large, Goolsbee said, consumer-spending growth and modest unemployment suggest the economy has held up well, making inflation the appropriate target of the Fed’s attention.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• customarily
• frequently
• generally
• mostly
• naturally
• normally
• occasionally
• often
• ordinarily
• regularly
• routinely
• sometimes