by and large
In general; overall. It's a really cute town, and I like it by and large, but it's just so far from all of my friends in the city. I think the governor's speech is a bunch of nonsense by and large, but there is a nugget of truth in what he said about the need for lower taxes. I know this house isn't exactly what we were looking for, but it's in a great location and meets our needs by and large.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
by and large
generally; usually. (Originally a nautical expression.) I find that, by and large, people tend to do what they are told to do. By and large, rosebushes need lots of care.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
by and large
For the most part, generally speaking, as in
By and large the novel was a success. This expression originated in 17th-century seamanship, where it referred to sailing into the wind and then off it, which made it easier to steer. By the early 1700s the term had been broadened to mean "in one direction and another," whence its present meaning of "in general." For a synonym, see
for the most part.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by and large
on the whole; everything considered. Originally this phrase was used in a nautical context, describing the handling of a ship both to the wind and off it.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
by and ˈlarge
(informal) used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely, true: By and large, I enjoyed my time at school.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
by and large
Generally speaking, on the whole. The expression comes from seamanship. When a vessel is close-hauled (sails as close as possible to the wind), “by and large” instructs the helmsman to sail slightly off the wind, making it easier to steer. Because this instruction is rather vague, the term eventually came to mean “in general.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer