on the average

Idioms  

1. As a rule, usually, as in On the average, about 15 percent of the freshmen class will drop out before graduation. This expression uses average in the sense of “a norm or standard.” [First half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

But that responsibility of figuring out what’s truly safe and unsafe shouldn’t fall on the average consumer, Benesh emphasizes.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Revenue increased 1% on the average of the prior two quarters, supported by 0.4% growth in net interest income and 5% growth in markets income.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

But the Dow comprises only 30 companies, weighted by share prices, so a sharp change in an expensive stock can exert strong pressure on the average.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

That’s a big improvement on the average 13,000 increase from June to August.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 20, 2025

Provided that each victim thereby infects on the average more than one new victim, the bacterium will spread, even though the first host happens to die.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond