on the average

on the average

Typically; in general. How many cupcakes does your shop sell daily, on the average? On the average, we can expect our costs to be recouped by our profit margin.

See also: average, on

on the average

 and on average

generally; usually. On the average, you can expect about a 10 percent failure rate. This report looks OK, on average.

See also: average, on

on the average

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]

See also: average, on