THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
By and large
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Generally, when the situation is considered as a whole.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- By and large, the new timetable works well for our team.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
________, the new timetable works well for our team.
Show the answer
By and large — Generally, when the situation is considered as a whole.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “By and large” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Generally, when the situation is considered as a whole.
Compare: By and large, the new timetable works well for our team.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it when giving an overall assessment while allowing for exceptions. It suits conversation, reports and general writing.
More examples in context
- The course was useful by and large, although one section needed clearer examples.
- By and large, people followed the instructions without difficulty.
Usage note
Keep and in the phrase. It introduces a broad assessment, not a claim that every single detail is the same.
A short conversation
A: Was the move successful?
B: By and large, yes. A few boxes arrived late, but everything important went smoothly.
A: That sounds like a good overall result.
One more practice question
What does “By and large, the feedback was positive” allow for?
A. A guarantee that every single comment was positive.
B. Some exceptions within an overall positive response.
Check your answer
B. The phrase gives the general picture while allowing exceptions.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.