By and large

[Lanell]

when everything about a situation is considered together:

[Magaret]

The by part of the phrase means close-hauled. (This by also appears in the term full and by, meaning sailing with all sails full and as close to the wind as possible.) Large, by contrast, refers to a point of sail in which the wind is hitting the boat abaft the beam, or behind the boats widest point.

[Nicolasmam]

usually; as a rule

[Frankykap]

By and large is an idiom that means generally, mostly, usually, or overall. It is often used to indicate a summary or overall picture, giving an idea that something is true in most cases or most of the time.

[GlendynaSlese]

To the wind and off it; within six points.

[GrokLuth 0]

mostly, generally; with few exceptions