by and large
Etymology

From sailing: a ship may (or may not) sail well both close by the wind, and large, downwind, with sheets extended.

Adverb

by and large (not comparable)

  1. (set phrase, focus) Mostly, generally; with few exceptions.
    Synonyms: for the most part, generally, mostly, on the whole, usually, Thesaurus:mostly
    It was, by and large, an unexceptional presentation.
Translations


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