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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the average

The measure is a saving of about £45 a year on the average household bill, the government said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

The report’s conclusion relies on the average speed of answer, which includes callbacks so that callers are not actively waiting on the phone.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 23, 2025

Thus, on the average, 125 out of 216 times you play chuck- a-luck, you’ll lose $1.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos