by and large

by and large

adv.

For the most part; generally: By and large, the play was a success.

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[Earlier, to (the wind) and off it, in one direction and another (said of the manner of handling a sailing vessel) : by, toward + large, with the wind abaft the beam.]

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by and large

adv

in general; on the whole

[originally nautical (meaning: to the wind and off it)]

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

by and large - usually; as a rule; "by and large it doesn't rain much here" generally, more often than not, mostly