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

They were simply following other orders, though they also employed methods that had been encouraged in the course of their training.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

According to a 2025 Amnesty International report, there were 492 death sentences in the course of the year, 23 of whom were executed, external.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

“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

Anxious to rescue in the course of a few months what had lain in ruins for years, the patron hired every man, woman, old person, and child who could stand on his own two feet.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende