on balance

Idioms  

1. Taking everything into consideration, as in On balance I think we've had a very good year. This expression, which in effect means “balancing all the factors involved,” was first recorded in 1719.

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Example Sentences

“On balance, this does sound like a net positive,” Sosnick said.

From MarketWatch

But Lomas said: "Due to the nature of the infection, the challenges of diagnosing the condition and the high mortality rate, it was not possible to determine on the evidence available, on balance of probabilities, whether an earlier conveyance to hospital would have prevented Luke's death."

From BBC

On balance, higher growth should offset headwinds from the forced elimination of dividends, if that comes to pass.

From Barron's

This lineup is viewed as more hawkish on balance, though not uniformly so.

From Barron's

Some analysts said China, on balance, has reacted soberly, reflecting uncertainty ahead and a limited appetite to challenge the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal