in principle

Idioms  

1. Fundamentally, in general, but not necessarily in all particulars. For example, The diplomats accepted the idea in principle but would rely on experts to work out all the details. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

To him, the caning was in principle no different.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Though he supports moving to a low carbon economy in principle, he said "it should be a fair transition".

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Around objects like the Sun, it might only appear in a thin outer layer, but in principle it could still be measured there.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2026

Iran and the U.S. have agreed to meet in principle but no date or venue has been decided, The Wall Street Journal External link reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Thus, in principle, belief in magic ought to decline with improvements in technology, particularly medicine, and the beginnings of insurance policies and other methods of reducing the impact of unforeseen disasters.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton