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

See Examples For:

in the course of

“You’ll see a lot of different scenarios in the course of your savings. It’s best not to make changes on short-term events,” Shamrell said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

Flores’ attorneys have argued that his actions were allowed under the California Invasion of Privacy Act because he was acting in the course of his duties as a police officer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Out of a 27-song setlist, these remarks appear four times in the course of the 2 ½ hours the band is onstage.

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

What choices Nadia Marcinko had, if any, in the course of her long association with Jeffrey Epstein, it is impossible for an outsider to know.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

“We came across each other in the course of our errands. I’ll need to go home soon. And Nell...”

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson