on the whole

Idioms and Phrases

Considering everything, as in On the whole we enjoyed our vacation, although the hotel was not perfect by any means . [Late 1600s] Also see the synonyms by and large ; for the most part .

Example Sentences

Although lower-income and younger people are straining more to keep up with expenses and make debt payments, households on the whole are managing well.

From Los Angeles Times

While private citizens have a right to keep their medical records confidential, it is argued that political leaders do not have this luxury because their health can have an impact on the whole country.

From BBC

"We've seen a couple scuttle low but on the whole, it's been OK. It's on the slow side, but it's been alright."

From BBC

Modern life has drawbacks, but on the whole, people in the U.S. are healthier, freer, and safer than they have been throughout most of history.

From Salon

I thought he looked after Erling Haaland - I know he scored, but on the whole you didn't really see him much.

From BBC

Related Words

• commonly
• consistently
• customarily
• frequently
• generally
• mostly
• naturally
• normally
• occasionally
• often
• ordinarily
• regularly
• routinely
• sometimes