broad (redirected from broadest)

*broad as a barn door

very broad or wide. (*Also: as ~.) Jim's backside is as broad as a barn door. The weight lifter's chest is broad as a barn door.

See also: barn, door

broad in the beam 

1. Lit. [of a ship] wide at amidships. This old tub is broad in the beam and sits like a ball in the water, but I love her.

2. Fig. Inf. with wide hips or large buttocks. l am getting a little broad in the beam. It's time to go on a diet. John is just naturally broad in the beam.

See also: beam

have broad shoulders 

1. Lit. to have wide shoulders. She has broad shoulders because she exercises and lifts weights.

2. Fig. to have the ability to cope with unpleasant responsibilities; to have the ability to accept criticism or rebuke. No need to apologize to me. I can take it. I have broad shoulders. Karen may have broad shoulders, but she can't endure endless criticism.

See also: have, shoulder

in broad daylight

in the open light of day; clearly visible. The crime was committed in broad daylight. Bill stood there in broad daylight, but we never saw him.

See also: daylight

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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

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

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

have a broad back 

1. not be easily hurt by criticism It helps to have a broad back in showbusiness.

2. to be able to help other people with their problems without becoming tired or upset Why don't you tell me what's wrong? I've got a broad back.

See also: back, have

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 also with 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