broad

be broad in the beam (old-fashioned)

to have a large bottom. Tess has always been rather broad in the beam, despite all those diets.

See also: beam

a broad church (British)

an organization that includes many different types of people with different opinions. The Congress remains a broad church with members from a diversity of backgrounds.

See also: church

broad (brush) strokes

if you describe a situation with broad strokes, you describe it in a very general way without giving any details. The novel's historical background is filled in with broad brush strokes. In a few broad strokes he summed up his beliefs.

See also: stroke

in broad daylight

if a crime is committed in broad daylight, it happens during the day when it could easily have been seen and prevented. The man was shot at close range in broad daylight in front of his house.

See also: daylight

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in broad daylight

when anyone can see what is happening. These robberies took place in broad daylight and not one person has been arrested for them!

Usage notes: often used to show great surprise that something evil could be done without any effort to hide it

See also: daylight

in broad strokes

in a general way, without giving details. Mostly, he talked in broad strokes about how his faith supports him every day.

Etymology: based on the idea of painting with broad strokes (= wide marks made with a wide brush)

See also: stroke