by and large

adv

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

1. Mostly; generally; all things considered.

   “It was, by and large, an unexceptional presentation.”

   “Taking things by and large, as sailors say, I got on fairly well in the matter of provisions even on the long voyage across the Pacific.”

2. In one way or another.

   “Miss Betsey, a charming frigate, that will do honour to our country, if you take her by and large.”

   “[…] a man who has heard of the biter bit, feels rather perplexed on the whole, take it by-and-large […]”

3. Sailing alternately into the wind and in the same direction as the wind.

   “[…] For to make a Ship to drawe or goe but little into the water, and to hold a good winde, and to ſaile well both by and large, were very neceſſarie, and eſpecially in theſe our ſhallowe Seas, […]”