Would you like to tell someone that all things have been considered in what has just been said, or would you like to point out that the whole picture should be thought about or discussed? The phrase 'by large' is a common expression that could be used to mean this in English. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase 'by large' is a saying that is used to mean all things are being considered as part of the discussion, argument or point.
Someone can say 'by large' to point out the rest of a relevant issue that is part of the discussion.
The issue that is being discussed 'by large' can be stated outright in the discussion, or implied by the speaker through the rest of what is being said.
The saying 'by large' is figurative reference, though its origins speak about size the actual phrase has nothing to do with the size of something physical, but means “the larger issue” when it is being said.
The phrase 'by large' is similar in its meaning to a speaker that makes reference to 'the bigger picture' when in conversation: it implies that the whole should be considered, or that there is more to what is being discussed.
The phrase 'by large' should not be confused with the term 'at large', which carries a different meaning and instead refers to someone who is on the run from something (often someone who has escaped from holding).
Example Usage
“If you consider the statistics that we read about last night, then by large the truth is that nobody really likes to see pineapple anywhere near a pizza.”
“By large, I don't think that anyone else in town knew that they were going to put up that statue in the middle of the night.”
“If you had to think about the issue by large, then nobody is going to come into the newsroom on a Sunday to write about this. They just won't, and you can't make them.”
“By large, there's a larger issue to consider, and that's which of these pants make me look larger in the lingerie.”
Origin
According to most online etymology resources, the phrase 'by large' owes its origin to the late 1800s and the phrase is first found in history as a nautical phrase: by large refers to a larger part of a ship, though the original seafaring meaning of the term is seldom though of when people hear the expression today.
Sources give the original expression as 'by and by large', though 'by large' is the common accepted shortened version that carries the same figurative meaning.
Some online sources date the term back to the 1600s, by which time English was widespread and some early seafaring terms were already in common use.
It's likely that the term evolved into its figurative meaning somewhere between the 1600s to 1800s, and achieved its initial popularity thanks to print media and the invention of the printing press.
Whenever it might have originated, the phrase has remained popular since the creation of online message boards, and stuck around well throughout early social media websites in the early 2010s.
Phrases Similar to By Large
- [looking at] the bigger picture
Phrases Opposite to By Large
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- By large
Ways People May Say By Large Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can understand or use the phrase 'by large' in the wrong way.
The phrase should not be confused with 'at large', which has a different meaning and instead refers to a person (or several people) who are on the run.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase By Large
The correct way to use the phrase 'by large' is as an expression that emphasizes there is another part of the discussion or issue to keep in mind.