acceptably

en-adv

acceptably (comparative more acceptably, superlative most acceptably)

more acceptably (comparative)
most acceptably (superlative)
acceptibly (alternative dated)

From Middle English acceptably, equivalent to acceptable + -ly.

In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or give satisfaction.


your mileage may vary

The United States Environmental Protection Agency requires all new vehicles to undergo a set of standard emissions tests which simulate city and highway driving. Part of the test measures estimated city and highway gas (petrol) mileage estimates. Since no test can exactly simulate all driving habits and conditions, the actual gas mileage of each vehicle will vary. As a result, when these estimated mileage claims from automobile manufacturers appear in advertisements, they are almost always accompanied with the standard disclaimer “your mileage may vary”.

The battery lasts a day in my phone, but your mileage may vary.

When that definition is executed, the metadata for the temporary table is put into your schema (most likely—your mileage may vary), but no space is allocated to hold data.

1993, Jim Melton, Alan R. Simon, “Basic Data Definition Language (DDL)”, in Understanding the New SQL: A Complete Guide, San Francisco, Calif.: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, →ISBN, section 4.3.4 (Temporary Tables), page 74:

In other words, your mileage may vary and my disk-size figures are just estimates provided for your convenience.

1994, Bob LeVitus, Macintosh System 7.5 for Dummies (For Dummies), San Mateo, Calif.: IDG Books, →ISBN, page 328:

We pause here to emphasize that with animals, there are no absolutes. […] We like to say that with any given wolf or dog, "your mileage may vary."

2012, Jessica Addams, Andrew Miller, “Modern Wolf Mythology: The Things that ‘Everyone Knows’”, in Between Dog and Wolf: Understanding the Connection and the Confusion, Wenatchee, Wash.: Dogwise Publishing, →ISBN:

Mallory Ortberg: […] The advice game is the ultimate your-mileage-may-vary exercise—do you have a feeling for when someone is looking for (or needs) a gentle smack to return them to their senses, a bit of empathy, a dose of humor? It’s a tricky balance, I think, between writing something entertaining for your many readers and trying to be genuinely helpful to the original writer.

2015 November 12, Daniel Mallory Ortberg, Emily Yoffe, “Dear Prudie, from Prudie: Emily Yoffe’s advice to her successor, Mallory Ortberg”, in Slate, archived from the original on 2018-02-07:

(Canada, US, idiomatic, often computing) It may work differently in your situation, or be different in your experience.

možná to máte jinak

it may work differently in your situation

ez mindenkinél másként/máshogy/máshogyan van/működik (persze)

э́то мо́жет срабо́тать у тебя́ по-друго́му

I think that red dress looks really good on you, but your mileage may vary, of course.

Your mileage may vary when it comes to the over-the-top carnage and in-your-face machismo, but it’s impressive just how bonkers Fate [The Fate of the Furious] is, like a litter of kittens hopped up on grade-A catnip.

2017 April 12, Brian Truitt, “Review: ‘Fate’ is furious enough to excite the faithful”, in USA Today, archived from the original on 2018-09-06:

The privatization of luxury space in planes, trains and automobiles have certainly enhanced our ability to keep to ourselves on the road (see the rise of personal pods at airports for a recent example of the lengths people will go to for solitude). And as those spaces get increasingly automated, human interaction is becoming increasingly limited (although your mileage may vary as to how much you really enjoy that interaction with customs or gate agents).

2018 August 31, Leslie Wu, “Mobile Hotel Rooms are the New Home away from Home”, in Forbes, archived from the original on 2018-09-01:

(Canada, US, idiomatic) Used to express a possible difference in taste: this is just my opinion, your opinion may be different.

és només la meva opinió

this is just my opinion — see also there's no accounting for taste

des goûts et des couleurs, on ne discute pas


AFAIK

as far as I know
as far as I know#English

(informal, Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of as far as I know.


IMO

Sri Lanka has asked the IMO to classify plastic pellets as toxic substances, and Vanuatu is calling for better reporting of containers lost at sea.

2022 February 9, Karen McVeigh, “‘Oil spills of our time’: experts sound alarm about plastic lost in cargo ship disasters ”, in The Guardian, Guardian Media Group, retrieved 2022-02-11, Seascape: the state of our oceans:

(UN, nautical) Initialism of International Maritime Organization.


IMHO

IMHO she just devalues the rest of us who want to be judged by what we do and what we are, not how we look and who we discuss Uganda with.

1995 April 27, Helen Gerald, “Re: Liz Hurley”, in rec.arts.tv.uk (Usenet), message-ID <1bd766f1e95e31fd>:

While they worked together, [Frank] Marks quickly learned that when [Peter] Dodge offered his thoughts in an email and wrote “IMHO,” meaning “in my humble opinion,” Marks should heed them because “that meant I was screwing up,” he said.

2024 October 9, Praveena Somasundaram, “A hurricane hunter’s final, fitting resting place: Milton’s eye”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., retrieved 2024-10-10:

in my humble opinion
in my humble opinion#English

(Internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of in my humble opinion.


ostensibly

Near-synonyms: reportedly, reputedly, purportedly, putatively, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly, presumably; see also Thesaurus:ostensibly

His interest in the railway was ostensibly a hobby, but people began wondering why he was taking photos of specific trains and specific equipment.

Her interest in his welfare was ostensibly charitable and magnanimous, but people began wondering who was going to inherit his assets when he died.

On 13 June the peshwa signed a new treaty, ostensibly complying with the demands of the British government[…]

1889, Leslie Stephen, Sidney Lee, Dictionary of National Biography:

Up to a year or two ago it had been the custom to kill horses in the yards — ostensibly for fertilizer; […]

1905 April–October, Upton Sinclair, chapter IX, in The Jungle, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1906 February 26, →OCLC:

The original branch was 5¾ miles long, from Llantrisant to Cowbridge only, but in 1889, the T.V.R. [Taff Vale Railway] obtained powers […] to continue the line for 6½ miles south to the coast at Aberthaw, ostensibly for the purpose of serving the important limestone works there, but one suspects other motives, including an understandable desire on the part of the T.V.R. to put a spoke in the wheel of the oncoming Barry Railway !

1951 December, T. B. Sands, “Some Railway Byways in the Vale of Glamorgan”, in Railway Magazine, page 838:

People strive to achieve perfection — ostensibly an honorable goal — but complete perfection is dangerous. To be imperfect, but human, is far preferable.

2007, Brian Herbert, Kevin J Anderson, Sandworms of Dune:

Mr. Marwan’s story — a tale overflowing with the suspense and ruthless duplicity of a spy novel — began to take shape in the spring of 1969. He had come to London, ostensibly to consult a Harley Street doctor about a stomach ailment. He chose to be examined by a doctor whose offices had been used previously for a covert meeting between King Hussein of Jordan and the general director of the Israeli prime minister’s office."

2007 April 10, “Who Killed Ashraf Marwan?”, in The New York Times, retrieved 2015-09-18:

The "petrol clams" are fleshy and flavourful -- the secret to avoiding a hydrocarbon taste is not to inhale while slipping them into the mouth -- and a speciality of the West Sea Barrage beach at Nampho, southwest of Pyongyang.
The sandy beach lies at the far end of the eight-kilometre barrier across the Taedong river mouth -- ostensibly built for flood control, but which also blocks access to Pyongyang, a few dozen kilometres upriver, for any invading navy.

2017 August 3, “Shellfish, fire and Party praise: beach breaks, North Korea style”, in France 24, sourced from Nampho (North Korea) (AFP), archived from the original on 2020-11-11, Live news:

Quite possibly the worst aspect of this is the role of the train operating companies and their representative body, the ineptly named Rail Delivery Group (RDG). Ostensibly, the plan has come from them. In reality, this has been driven entirely by Government, which asked each train operator to draw up plans for its area.

2023 July 26, Christian Wolmar, “Closing ticket offices to lead to 'catch-22' for passengers”, in RAIL, number 988, page 42:

(modal) Seemingly, apparently, on the surface; supposedly, according to representations or implications made by someone (especially when their motives are suspected by others).


apparently

apparently (comparative more apparently, superlative most apparently)

more apparently (comparative)
most apparently (superlative)

A man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.

The r-stems had apparently been reduced to the five nuclear kinship terms that still survive in Modern English.

2006, Donald Ringe, From Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Germanic (A Linguistic History of English; 1), Oxford: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 197:


possibly

possibly (comparative more possibly, superlative most possibly)

more possibly (comparative)
most possibly (superlative)

Near-synonyms: maybe, perhaps, mayhap, mayhaps, by chance, perchance, peradventure; conceivably

Possibly, they will make gains in the midterm elections.

It was possibly the costliest mistake in the organization's history.

This rare and possibly unique specimen must be conserved.

“Well, everything does point to either a major epeirogenic deformation, or possibly just a simple disruption of isostasy throughout the entire plate network.”

2015, N. K. Jemisin, The Fifth Season, Orbit (2016), page 274:

(modifying a clause or predicate) Perhaps; indicates that the proposition may be true (is not certainly false) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker.

I'm much stronger than you, so you can't possibly win.

I couldn't possibly be there on time.

I couldn't possibly cheat on my wife.

It seems unlikely, but, yes, they could possibly win even now.

The police don't know him, and the information they have leads them to think he could possibly have murdered his wife.

(modifying a verb) In the realm of possibility; indicates that the action may successfully be performed (is not impossible) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker that might limit the performance.

бәлки

adverb indicating that an action may successfully be performed


perhaps

From Middle English perhappes, perhappous, variant of earlier perhap (“perhaps, possibly”), equivalent to per + hap (“chance, coincidence”) + -s, on model of Middle English parchaunce (modern perchance).

Perhaps John will come over for dinner.

There was a perhaps credible witness.

He was seriously wounded, perhaps fatally.

The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect, and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:

With some of it on the south and more of it on the north of the great main thoroughfare that connects Aldgate and the East India Docks, St. Bede's at this period of its history was perhaps the poorest and most miserable parish in the East End of London.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter VII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].

2013 June 7, David Simpson, “Fantasy of navigation”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 36:


maybe

From an ellipsis of Middle English it may be, equivalent to may + be. Compare mayhap.

mebbe (alternative dialectal)
may-be (alternative obsolete)

Maybe not the best idea.


considerably

considerably (comparative more considerably, superlative most considerably)

more considerably (comparative)
most considerably (superlative)

The situation has improved considerably.

The situation is considerably better.

From several magnets combined von Hellenbach and Gessmann in Vienna constructed considerably stronger hypnoscopes, through which 66 per cent. of those examined showed the above mentioned sensitiveness […]

1889, Humboldt library of science, number 113, page 13:

The hand which is not concealed by the drapery is gloveless; the arms are bare considerably above the elbow; and a bracelet encircles the right wrist.

1900, William Carew Hazlitt, The Venetian Republic: Its Rise, Its Growth, and Its Fall 421-1797:

Despite the ups and downs of removals and rehousings, the collection was considerably extended under his guidance, both by purchases and donations.

2001, Constantijn Petridis, Daniel P. Biebuyck, Frans M. Olbrechts, 1899-1958: in search of art in Africa, page 15:

Significantly; to a degree worth considering.


relatively

Additionally, the F never lets you forget it's one big and very heavy motorcycle. The wide bars give you the leverage to bend it into a corner relatively quickly, but you feel its mass resisting. […] On the freeway, the seat–relatively thin to keep ride height down–offers a pleasant site for your rear through a tank of gas.

2005 January 10, “Honda VTX1800F”, in Cycle World, volume 44, number 1, →ISSN:

There are at least 1,000 DOE staff working in relatively new offices in the department created after Biden’s infrastructure and climate laws passed a few years ago, including the Grid Deployment Office – which works on modernizing and securing the nation’s electrical grid.

2025 February 6, Ella Nilsen and Sean Lyngaas, “Trump energy secretary allowed 23-year-old DOGE rep to access IT systems over objections from general counsel”, in CNN:

(sometimes proscribed) Somewhat; fairly.


generally

generally (comparative more generally, superlative most generally)

From Middle English generally, generalliche, equivalent to general + -ly.

I generally have a walk in the afternoon.

During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]

1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond:

He used to drop into my chambers once in a while to smoke, and was first-rate company. When I gave a dinner there was generally a cover laid for him. I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 2:

Ivor had acquired more than a mile of fishing rights with the house ; he was not at all a good fisherman, but one must do something ; one generally, however, banged a ball with a squash-racket against a wall.

1922, Michael Arlen, “3/19/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:

Musk’s Israel tour was transparently transactional and frankly insulting. The antisemitic sentiment Musk endorsed had nothing to do with Israel; “replacement theory” is generally an unsupported allegation that Jews and other immigrants in the US and Europe are destroying Western civilization.

2023 November 28, Jill Filipovic, “Opinion: Elon Musk’s Israel tour was transparently transactional and insulting”, in CNN:

As a rule; usually; typically; in most cases.

Generally speaking …

“There ain’t no drain of nothing short handy, is there?” said the Chicken, generally. “This here sluicing night is hard lines to a man as lives on his condition.”
Captain Cuttle proffered a glass of rum […]

1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:

Autopsy results revealed that Braydon was generally malnourished and thin. His cause of death was hyperthermia due to the extreme heat, which would have “caused extreme discomfort and difficulty breathing as he died.”

2015 December 23, Tiffany Ap and Artemis Moshtaghian, “Neglected boy shut in room with heater on dies of hyperthermia”, in CNN:

It is generally true that the angles of a triangle sum to 180 degrees.

In the general case, without exception; in all cases.

I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Samuel 17:11:

(obsolete) Collectively; as a whole; without omissions.


IIRC

(Internet slang) Initialism of if I recall/remember correctly.


at the end of the day

→ German: am Ende des Tages (calque)

→ Spanish: al final del día (calque)

Christ’s flock is but a little flock, comparatively conſidered, Luke xii. 32. &c. They are but little in reſpect of their numbers. Indeed abſtractly conſidered, at the end of the day, they will make an “innumerable company, which no man can number;” but, viewed in compariſon of the wicked, they are but few:[…]

c. 1737–1754, Ebenezer Erskine, “The Sovereignty of Zion’s King. Being the Substance of Several Sermons, on Psal. ii. 6. The First Preached at Perth Before the Associate Presbytery, Thursday, Oct. 13. 1737, and Afterwards Enlarged upon at Stirling, for Some Sabbaths Thereafter.”, in The Whole Works of the Late Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, Minister of the Gospel at Stirling; Consisting of Sermons and Discourses, on the Most Important and Interesting Subjects, volume II, Edinburgh: […] D. Schaw and Co., […] for Alex. M‘Leran, […], published 1798, section “The Second Sermon on This Text”, page 530:

Arms control was always something between a sham and a sideshow. . . . [A]t the end of the day, a democratic Russia integrated into the West becomes no more a nuclear threat to us than Britain or France.

1991 August 5, Charles Krauthammer, “Why Arms Control Is Obsolete”, in Time:

At the end of the day, it is commodities that will have the biggest impact on the Canadian dollar over the next year.

2009 February 24, Levi Folk, “'Goldilocks' dollar is happy here”, in Financial Post, Canada, retrieved 2009-02-25:


practically

practically (comparative more practically, superlative most practically)

more practically (comparative)
most practically (superlative)

Stalin was not technically or legally the head of state but was practically so.

It is true that the Articles of the [Argentine] Constitution promise fair conditions under which to live; but, unfortunately, the self-same Constitution, in the hands of unscrupulous administrators, becomes so elastic as to be practically a dead letter.

1893, C. E. Akers, “The Argentine Position”, in Argentine, Patagonian, and Chilian Sketches, with a Few Notes on Uruguay., London: Harrison and Sons, page 12:

In practice; in effect or in actuality, though possibly not officially, technically, or legally.

He wasn't very good with words or numbers; he was more of a practically minded person

He was practically educated and lacked theoretical depth.

With respect to practices or a practice.

practically achievable

In a way that is practical: feasibly; unchallengingly.


literally

literally (comparative more literally, superlative most literally)

more literally (comparative)
most literally (superlative)
lit. (alternative)
litterally (alternative)

From Middle English litteraly; equivalent to literal + -ly.

When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.

I didn't have time to repair the wall, so I literally just papered over the cracks.

Lights were going out. A raid! A raid! It was a panic, literally, in a whorehouse!

1969, Allen V. Ross, Vice in Bombay, London: Tallis Press, page 142:

All events became omens; I lost the ability to take anything literally.

1991, Douglas Coupland, “Dead at 30 Buried at 70”, in Generation X, New York: St. Martin's Press, →OCLC, page 31:

[…] Men In Black 3 finagles its way out of this predicament by literally resetting the clock with a time-travel premise that makes Will Smith both a contemporary intergalactic cop in the late 1960s and a stranger to Josh Brolin, who plays the younger version of Smith’s stone-faced future partner, Tommy Lee Jones.

2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, in The Onion AV Club:

As lawmakers and staff rushed out, aides snatched the boxes containing the Electoral College certificates, making sure that the vandals could not literally steal the results of the election.

2021 January 7, Luke Broadwater, Emily Cochrane, “Inside the Capitol, the Sound of the Mob Came First”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

With phrasings that might normally be used or understood as figurative: truly; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.

right As in whose properly was the lost wallet?


normally

normally (comparative more normally, superlative most normally)

more normally (comparative)
most normally (superlative)

(mathematics, statistics) In the manner of a variable with a Gaussian distribution.


probably

probably (comparative more probably, superlative most probably)

more probably (comparative)
most probably (superlative)
probablely (alternative obsolete)
probally (alternative colloquial slang)
probly (alternative colloquial slang)
prolly (alternative colloquial slang)
proly (alternative Internet Leet)
pby (alternative Internet)

From Middle English probably, probabily, equivalent to probable + -ly.

She probably has arrived by now.

She has probably arrived by now.

Probably she has arrived by now.

He'll probably arrive tomorrow.

He probably will arrive tomorrow.

Probably he'll arrive tomorrow.

It is probably too late for amends.

It probably is too late for amends.

Probably it is too late for amends.

“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes[…]. And then, when you see [the senders], you probably find that they are the most melancholy old folk with malignant diseases. […]”

1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:

Earless ghost swift moths become “invisible” to echolocating bats by forming mating clusters close[…]above vegetation and effectively blending into the clutter of echoes that the bat receives from the leaves and stems around them. Many insects probably use this strategy, which is a close analogy to crypsis in the visible world—camouflage and other methods for blending into one’s visual background.

2013 May–June, William E. Conner, “An Acoustic Arms Race”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, pages 206–7:

In all likelihood
in all likelihood#Prepositional phrase


largely

largely (comparative largelier or more largely, superlative largeliest or most largely)

largelier (comparative)
more largely (comparative)
largeliest (superlative)
most largely (superlative)

Usually there was a jug of one or other decoction standing on the hob, from which he drank largely.
"Grand!" he said, smacking his lips after wormwood. "Grand!" And he exhorted the children to try.

1913, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, “chapter 2”, in Sons and Lovers, London: Duckworth & Co. […], →OCLC:


typically

typically (comparative more typically, superlative most typically)

more typically (comparative)
most typically (superlative)

And Netherlands, backed by a typically noisy and colourful travelling support, started the second period in blistering fashion and could have had four goals within 10 minutes.

2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport:


essentially

essentially (comparative more essentially, superlative most essentially)

more essentially (comparative)
most essentially (superlative)

A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.

2012 March 10, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3:


on average

on the average (alternative)
on an average (alternative)

measure of central tendency
measure of central tendency

Expressed as a measure of central tendency (usually the arithmetic mean).


on the whole

upon the whole (alternative)
upon the matter (alternative archaic)
upon the whole matter (alternative archaic)

The language was wrong for the period, but, on the whole, I enjoyed the film.

Davis had a ball lodged in his body, and his right hand shot off; but on the whole, he seems to have been less damaged than his companion.

1849, Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Monday:

[H]is class was near enough her own for its manners to vex her. But she found him interesting on the whole.

1910, E. M. Forster, chapter 5, in Howards End:

Both Maidan and Tahrir were peaceful. Maidan was absolutely peaceful, Tahrir saw some unrest but was still peaceful on the whole.

2012 January 18, Simon Shuster, “The Anti-Putin Movement: An Interview with the Blogger in Chief”, in Time, retrieved 2013-08-18:

(idiomatic) For the most part; apart from some insignificant details.


off the cuff

Purported to be from the habit by after-dinner speakers of jotting a few notes on the cuff of the sleeve.

Nor was there anything off the cuff about their insistence that Manuel Pellegrini was happy to make the name of his replacement public knowledge, echoing his sentiment that they were “not doing anything behind me” from a press conference earlier in the same day.

2016 February 2, Lee Roden, “Premier League: From Pellegrini to Pep - Why the Engineer made City the ideal destination for Guardiola”, in Yahoo Sport:


two cents

That car won't last a week, it's not worth two cents.

(US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, idiomatic, colloquial) A nearly worthless amount, alluding to placing a copper penny on each of the eyelids of a pauper's or slave's body before burial.

не сто́ить вы́еденного яйца́ impf (ne stóitʹ výjedennovo jajcá, literally “to be not worth an eaten egg”)

не сто́ить ло́маного гроша́ impf (ne stóitʹ lómanovo grošá, literally “to be not worth a broken half-copeck coin”)


IMNSHO

(informal, Internet slang, text messaging, humorous) Initialism of In my not-so-humble opinion.


likely

en-adj

likely (comparative more likely, superlative most likely)

more likely (comparative)
most likely (superlative)

From Middle English likely, likly, lykly, likliche, from Old English ġelīclīċ (“likely”) and Old Norse líkligr (“likely”), both from Proto-Germanic *līkalīkaz, equivalent to like + -ly (adjectival suffix).

подходящ

suitable; apparently appropriate or suitable

Do you think there's likely to be snow?

He is likely to succeed at anything he tries.

People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?

2013 April 9, Andrei Lankov, “Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff.”, in New York Times:

In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages - with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive.

2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:

(as predicate, followed by to and infinitive) Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable.

liable

as predicate, followed by "to" and infinitive


by and large

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-by and large.wav

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

It was, by and large, an unexceptional presentation.

“The people doing this by and large don’t have any real concept of how to tell a story, and neither do any kind of A.I.,” Ms. Williams said on Wednesday.

2023 February 23, Michael Levenson, quoting Sheila Williams, “Science Fiction Magazines Battle a Flood of Chatbot-Generated Stories”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Akers claims that ETCS signalling renewals are roughly 50% of the cost of conventional renewals. If nothing else, this is an important reason for NR to be keen to switch. "There's no rocket science or magic in that, there's just physically less to deliver," he says. "There are no trackside signals. Yes, you have balises and marker boards, and you still have train detection, but by and large there is simply less to deliver.

2024 May 29, Philip Haigh, “The digital revolution and the switch to in-cab signalling”, in RAIL, number 1010, page 29:

all things considered
all things considered

(idiomatic, focus) Mostly; generally; all things considered.


somewhat

Two of the coaches are still on the site of the line; one, a first class observation coach carrying the S.R. number 6991, is at Snapper Halt, where it still stands, in fair condition but somewhat weatherbeaten […]

1942 September and October, “Notes and News: Lynton & Barnstaple Stock”, in Railway Magazine, page 309:


virtually

en-adv

virtually (comparative more virtually, superlative most virtually)

more virtually (comparative)
most virtually (superlative)

/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəli/

/ˈvɜːt͡ʃəli/

/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʉəli/

/ˈvɵːt͡ʃʉəli/

/ˈvɵːt͡ʃəli/

From Middle English vertually; equivalent to virtual + -ly.

virtually a member of the family

In essence or functionally, but not in fact, formally, or technically.


allegedly

The game is allegedly exciting.

Philip Rivers is allegedly having the best season of any quarterback in the league.

2008 November 13, Jason Whitlock, “The 10 best and 10 worst NFL coaches”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name):

...her onscreen tears are allegedly real.

2009 February 20, “The Closer”, in New York Daily News, archived from the original on 2009-02-22:

No doubt you’re tired of reading about his colourful escapades – about his glamorous home, his allegedly dodgy tenderpreneur deals, his gushing praise of malevolent dictators, or his soundly articulated international economic policy.

2010 November 10, Pratish Mistry, “Why Julius Malema is important to the ANC”, in NewsTime:

According to someone's conspicuous impressions (which could subsequently be alleged).


surely

surely (comparative surelier or more surely, superlative sureliest or most surely)

surelier (comparative)
more surely (comparative)
sureliest (superlative)
most surely (superlative)

From Middle English surely; equivalent to sure + -ly.

slowly but surely


under protest

(US, law) of a payment made subject to dispute


strictly

strictly (comparative strictlier or more strictly, superlative strictliest or most strictly)

strictlier (comparative)
more strictly (comparative)
strictliest (superlative)
most strictly (superlative)

(mathematics) In a manner that applies to every member of a set or every interval of a function


technically

technically (comparative more technically, superlative most technically)

more technically (comparative)
most technically (superlative)

Near-synonym: stricto sensu

Technically, he was Canadian, but everyone assumed he was American.

Technically, a guinea pig is not a pig, nor is it from Guinea.

Based on precise facts, which, however, may be contrary to common belief or casual terminology.

tegnies

based on precise facts, which however may be contrary to common misbelief or to a traditional name

technically correct

Due to an omission in the peace treaty of the Russo-Japanese War, Montenegro was technically at war with Japan for 102 years.

Stalin was not technically the Head of State.

Number 1.0 [the head bureaucrat of a legion of bureaucrats]: Bureaucrat Conrad, you are technically correct — the best kind of correct. I hereby promote you to grade 37.

2000, Bill Odenkirk, How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back (Futurama), season 2, episode 11, spoken by Number 1.0, 20th Century Fox:

"I warned you not to gaze upon my grand godson with that spell. I warned you it would not work properly. Granted, you couldn't hear me then any more than you can now, and you'd never met Tedd, but I diiiid technically say it!"

2014 July 14, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive (webcomic), Comic for Monday, Jul 14, 2014:

For the Japanese, however, it's easier to summarize what is still afloat. Nagato, Kongō, and Haruna are technically still afloat, but all three are quite clearly on their way to the bottom.

2021 May 5, Drachinifel, 45:02 from the start, in Battle of Samar - What if TF34 was there?, archived from the original on 2022-08-19:

Based on formal (de jure) arguments, which, however, may be misleading.

դե յուրե

based on formal (de jure) arguments, which however may be misleading

техни́чески

having or using the skills or talent required for a certain job or profession

Although she is technically gifted, her piano playing lacks passion.

In Choosing Children one literally feels as if one were entering the lives of these parents and feels welcomed as they share their experiences with us openly and generously. Technically, this effect is enhanced by the straightforward camera work.

1984 December 8, Ellen Grabiner, “A Candid Portrait of Choosing Children”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 21, page 10:

The ladies were not much the wiser, though, I confess, they were not far removed from the door. The great men inside talked indistinctly and technically, and once Doctor Dillon was so unfeeling as to crack a joke […]

1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:

In a technical (involving specialized knowledge) way.


according to Hoyle

Named after Edmond Hoyle (1672–1769), an early author on the subject of card gaming.

This isn't a country where things are cut and dried, and done according to Hoyle.

1902, Gilbert Parker, chapter 11, in Donovan Pasha and Some People of Egypt:

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child, / And Death looks you bang in the eye, / And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle / To cock your revolver and . . . die.

1912, Robert W. Service, “The Quitter”, in Rhymes of a Rolling Stone:

The opening round of the Presidents' Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament went according to Hoyle.

2007 February 22, Phil Axelrod, “District Spotlight: PAC men's basketball follows form”, in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 2008-08-08:

(idiomatic) In strict accordance with the rules, especially of card games; in the proper or expected manner.


at a glance

This report is certainly not comprehensive; it is more of a "Marketing Division at a glance".

At a glance it seems that he is a nice guy, but upon digging deeper the truth emerges.


reportedly

Near-synonyms: reputedly, purportedly, putatively, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly

Other opposition forces have reportedly pushed to Ajdabiya, west of Benghazi […]

2011 February 25, “Building a new Libya”, in The Economist:

Nintoku, the pseudolegendary emperor of the fourth century, reportedly enjoyed falconry.

2015, Morgan Pitelka, Spectacular Accumulation:

Coristine, who had signed onto the telemeeting using a non-government email address, gave the bureaucrats swift marching orders, telling them he needed access to the federal department’s contract and payment systems before reportedly making them justify their jobs at the $1 billion-budget administration.

2025 February 7, Josie Ensor, “Meet Elon Musk’s ‘baby-faced assassins’ leading Doge takeover”, in The Times:


for the most part

For the most part, the crowd was orderly.

The sky is overcast for the most part.

Until the 1600s, English was, for the most part, spoken in England.

O, it offends mee to the Soule, to ſee a robuſtious Pery-wig-pated Fellow, teare a Paſſion to tatters, to verie ragges, to ſplit the eares of the Groundlings: who (for the moſt part) are capeable of nothing, but inexplicable dumbe ſhewes, & noiſe:[…]

c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 266, column 2:

Such souls can with assistance rise to better things, but it is a very arduous task and for the most part they remain rejoicers in evil.

1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 276:

For the most part they were small standard gauge 0-6-0 side tanks of the type illustrated, with long tapered chimneys and an unusual feature for the Continent in the shape of domeless boilers, the protuberance just behind the chimney being a sandbox.

1941 August, “Notes and News: The Swiss South Eastern Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 376:

With half-time approaching, England rather switched off, but for the most part it was an improved first 40 minutes from Johnson's side, which came in for much criticism following stuttering displays in their first two games.

2011 September 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania”, in BBC Sport:

(idiomatic) In most aspects; mostly; generally.


arguably

arguably (comparative more arguably, superlative most arguably)

more arguably (comparative)
most arguably (superlative)

In the early 1770s the bogey figure for opposition politicians was arguably not so much North in the Commons as Mansfield behind the curtain, the country's greatest lawyer (and another Caledonian to gratify the Scotophobes) keeping an irresolute Cabinet committed to waging war in America.

2004, Barry Coward, Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theory in Early Modern Europe: From the Waldensians to the French Revolution:

To exploit travel economies of scale, RAIL buys a four-in-eight-day Rail Rover. This is now known as the 'Spirit of Scotland Travelpass', although older users may remember it as the 'Freedom of Scotland' - arguably a better name.

2025 March 5, “Ayr miles with a 'Spirit of Scotland'”, in RAIL, number 1030, page 43:

As can be supported or proven by sound logical deduction, evidence, and precedent, but without absolute certainty.

按理說 /按理说

as can be supported or proven by sound logical deduction, evidence, and precedent, but without absolute certainty


potentially

potentially (comparative more potentially, superlative most potentially)

more potentially (comparative)
most potentially (superlative)

Nevertheless, it is clear that the global energy demand for air-conditioning will grow substantially as nations become more affluent, with the consequences of climate change potentially accelerating the demand.

2013 September-October, Michael Sivak, “Will AC Put a Chill on the Global Energy Supply?”, in American Scientist:

Its impending end has rung alarm bells across social media, with a baseline tariff as high as 145% depending on the carrier set to take effect on Chinese imports, potentially more than doubling the cost for all those cheap products deal-hungry Americans scooped up.

2025 May 2, Elisabeth Buchwald and Ramishah Maruf, “A massive tariff on millions of Americans’ purchases just went into effect — cue the chaos”, in CNN:

In a manner showing much potential; with the possibility of happening in a given way.

potencialment

in a manner showing much potential; with the possibility of happening in a given way


off the top of one's head

off the top of one's dome (alternative)
off the dome (alternative)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see off, top, head.


evidently

evidently (comparative more evidently, superlative most evidently)

more evidently (comparative)
most evidently (superlative)

From Middle English evidently, evydently; equivalent to evident + -ly.

The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. To display them the walls had been tinted a vivid blue which had now faded, but the carpet, which had evidently been stored and recently relaid, retained its original turquoise.

1963, Margery Allingham, “The Elopers”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 33:

In a manner which makes the fact or conclusion evident; obviously; as may be clearly inferred.


plausibly

plausibly (comparative more plausibly, superlative most plausibly)

more plausibly (comparative)
most plausibly (superlative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-plausibly.wav

Plausibly, she said she'd been working at the time.

(modal) Probably; not falsifiably, based on available facts and general knowledge.


reasonably

reasonably (comparative more reasonably, superlative most reasonably)

more reasonably (comparative)
most reasonably (superlative)

They were able handle their disagreements reasonably.


seemingly

seemingly (comparative more seemingly, superlative most seemingly)

more seemingly (comparative)
most seemingly (superlative)

From Middle English semyngly, equivalent to seeming + -ly.

[…] an object, seemingly like those which we have experienced, may be attended with different or contrary effects.

1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, section 15, Oxford University Press, published 1973:

Mr. Woodhouse at last was off; but Mr. Knightley, instead of being immediately off likewise, sat down again, seemingly inclined for more chat. He began speaking of Harriet, and speaking of her with more voluntary praise than Emma had ever heard before.

1816, Jane Austen, chapter 8, in Emma, volume 1:

Then everybody once more knelt, and soon the blessing was pronounced. The choir and the clergy trooped out slowly, […], down the nave to the western door. […] At a seemingly immense distance the surpliced group stopped to say the last prayer.

1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter V, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

He sacrificed nothing, laboring to get even the most seemingly insignificant element of every record perfect.

2006, Ace Collins, More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, page 64:

With rain lashing across the ground at kick-off and every man in Auckland seemingly either English-born or supporting Scotland, Eden Park was transformed into Murrayfield in March.

2011 October 1, Tom Fordyce, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 16-12 Scotland”, in BBC Sport:


after all

They won't be coming home for Christmas after all.

Then the idea returned to her that, after all, her son might not be innocent in the Ellen matter—and this was so interesting that she felt bound to get as near the truth as she could.

1873–1884 (date written), Samuel Butler, chapter XL, in R[ichard] A[lexander] Streatfeild, editor, The Way of All Flesh, London: Grant Richards, published 1903, →OCLC, page 175:

(idiomatic) in the end, however; used in referring to something that was believed to be the case, but is not; or to an outcome that is not what was expected or predicted.


IANAL

(Internet) Initialism of I am not a lawyer.


by the way

First appeared in the 10th century with literal meaning "by the side of the road", from Old English weġ (which became "way") meaning "road". Soon afterward (circa 1000) it came to mean "during one's journey". The figurative meaning developed in the mid-16th century, with the first instance of the modern meaning being from 1614.

(UK, idiomatic) Irrelevantly, off-topic.


adequately

adequately (comparative more adequately, superlative most adequately)

more adequately (comparative)
most adequately (superlative)
adæquately (alternative archaic)

A loving relationship with a proper companion animal, a relationship that adequately provides for the animal's physical and psychological needs, is not at all inconsistent with the principles and advocacy of animal rights.

2023 August 11 (last accessed), David Pearce, “Companion Animals”, in HedWeb:

Sufficient to satisfy a requirement or meet a need; sufficiently; satisfactorily.


in retrospect

Near-synonym: retrospectively

Trying to expand the business into the Middle East was doomed to failure. In retrospect, we shouldn't have bothered.

When looked back upon as a past event; as can be seen now, but not at the time.

فِي وَقْت لَاحِق

as can be seen now but was not seen at the outset


hypothetically

hypothetically (comparative more hypothetically, superlative most hypothetically)

more hypothetically (comparative)
most hypothetically (superlative)

Hypothetically, what would you say if I proposed marriage to you?

Hypothetically, Srinivasan suggests network states for people who eat specific diets (kosher, keto), for people who don’t like FDA regulation, for people who don’t like cancel culture, for people who want to live like Benedictine monks, for people who might want to limit internet use by putting public buildings in Faraday cages.

2024 February 5, Kaitlyn Tiffany, “Meet Me in the Eternal City”, in The Atlantic, →ISSN:

Used to introduce a proposition to discussion without commitment to its truth


above all

From Middle English [Term?]. Compare Dutch bovenal (“above all”).

You could just use ordinary shop-bought kecap manis to marinade the meat, but making your own is easy, has a far more elegant fragrance and is, above all, such a great brag! Flavouring kecap manis is an intensely personal thing, so try this version now and next time cook the sauce down with crushed, split lemongrass and a shredded lime leaf.

2015 October 27, Matt Preston, The Simple Secrets to Cooking Everything Better, Plum, →ISBN, page 192:

Of prime importance; before anything else; especially.


loosely

loosely (comparative more loosely, superlative most loosely)

more loosely (comparative)
most loosely (superlative)

From Middle English lously; equivalent to loose + -ly.

It's red, to use the term loosely, sort of brown and sort of orange, let's call it reddish.

a comic loosely based on an Old Norse epic

It is loosely adapted by John Hodge from Irvine Welsh’s novel Porno which imagined them coming together again 10 years on; this of course is 20.

2017 January 19, Peter Bradshaw, “T2 Trainspotting review – choose a sequel that doesn't disappoint”, in The Guardian:


AFAICT

(Internet slang) Initialism of as far as I can tell.


statistically

Statistically, what he said is true.

Bench may be the greatest catcher subjectively, but he's not statistically. Statwise, Yogi Berra is the all-time backstop, regardless of which measure you prefer. Berra's Total-Z is one-third of a standard deviation higher than Bench's, and his Core-Z average is a point better.

2002, James F. Vail, Outrageous Fortune: What's Wrong with Hall of Fame Voting and How to Make It Statistically Sound, Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, →ISBN, page 143:

Data were tested for equiproportionality and Chi-square test associated p-value is reported when the difference is statistically significant.

2016 January 13, “USP2-45 Is a Circadian Clock Output Effector Regulating Calcium Absorption at the Post-Translational Level”, in PLOS ONE, →DOI:


conceivably

conceivably (comparative more conceivably, superlative most conceivably)

more conceivably (comparative)
most conceivably (superlative)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-conceivably.wav

Considering that no lexicographer can conceivably know all the words of a language, students were asked to ponder what data lexicographers used to inform them about words[.]

2015, James Lambert, “Lexicography as a teaching tool: A Hong Kong case study”, in Lan Li, Jamie McKeown, Liming Liu, editors, Dictionaries and corpora: Innovations in reference science. Proceedings of ASIALEX 2015 Hong Kong, Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, page 145:


off the record

off record (alternative)
off-the-record (alternative)


purportedly

Near-synonyms: reportedly, reputedly, putatively, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly

In addition, none of the purportedly more common terms of these pairs appear to be especially frequent in modern Indian English.

2014, James Lambert, “Diachronic stability in Indian English lexis”, in World Englishes, page 120:

After several years Philip Rigoli left the property, describing his family as ‘strange and toxic’, but father Virgilio and brother Joe continued to develop their nation, maintaining that it was the only valid response to a government purportedly discriminating against ‘Christians, white Anglo-Saxons and capitalists’.

2022, Harry Hobbs, George Williams, “Motivations” (chapter 3), in Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty, Cambridge University Press, →DOI, page 98:

Australia is working to verify the authenticity of a video that purportedly shows one of its nationals captured by Russian forces while fighting in Ukraine.

2024 December 23, Hilary Whiteman, “Australia investigates video purportedly showing national captured by Russian forces in Ukraine”, in CNN:

As appears to be true or is stated or accepted to be (though might not be so).


putatively

putatively (comparative more putatively, superlative most putatively)

more putatively (comparative)
most putatively (superlative)

Near-synonyms: reportedly, reputedly, purportedly, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly

Even the putatively innocuous whimsical shapes and designs of cakes and pastry, notably in Central Europe, retain to this day the phallic concept[.]

1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page iii:

The following are the focus of research: in the Pyraloidea (Subobjective 1.1) Ategumia, Desmia, Diaphania, Eulepte, Herpetogramma, Omiodes, Patania; in the Gelechioidea (Subobjective 1.2) genera within and putatively near the Recurvaria-group (Gelechiinae: Litini); in the Noctuoidea (Subobjective 1.3) fern-feeding Argyrosticta in relation to Callopistria, boundaries and composition of the Eriopinae, and erebid litter moths (Herminiinae).

2021, United States Department of Agriculture, SYSTEMATICS OF HYPER-DIVERSE MOTH SUPERFAMILIES, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON AGRICULTURAL PESTS, INVASIVE SPECIES, BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS, AND FOOD SECURITY:

To construct a phylogenetic tree, molecular biologists compare the differences in nucleotide sequences of many isolates of putatively related organisms.

2011, Jacques Pepin, “The Source”, in The Origins of AIDS, 1st edition, →ISBN, page 22:


for the record

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-for the record.wav

For the record, I think these policies are weird and unnecessary.

Used to emphasize a point in an attempt to make it known or noticed.


in layman's terms

Okay, Einstein, but how about putting it in layman's terms, so the rest of us can understand?

Okay, let me explain this in layman's terms: no ticket, no train ride.

I would like to get into this $3 million deficit, Doctor. I would like to hear about it in layman's terms rather than accounting terms.

1973, Robert N[icholas] Giaimo, “Projected Deficit for Fiscal Year 1972”, in District of Columbia Appropriations for 1973, part 1, page 954:

“In layman’s terms, he transitioned from the high performance climb to the Split S too low and too fast, and by not deselecting his afterburners during the maneuver, he continued to accelerate,” according to the Navy investigation’s report. “The net effect of these deviations was that the aircraft was simply too low and too fast to avoid impacting the ground.”

2016 September 15, Dan Lamothe, “After investigation, Navy’s Blue Angels will stop using maneuver that killed a pilot”, in The Washington Post:

Aragón started at Clemson in 2016 and is well-known for her research into dimorphous expressions, which in layman’s terms are strangely negative responses to positive events, like crying tears of joy or seeing a puppy so cute you want to squeeze it or a baby so cute you want to smoosh its face.

2019 March 18, Ken Scar, “From jazz singer to Ph.D.: Clemson marketing professor Oriana Aragón blazed her own path to success”, in Clemson University Relations, Media Release, archived from the original on 2020-12-01:

(idiomatic) Phrased simply, without jargon; (of English-language speech or writing) phrased in plain English.


at the same time

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-at the same time.wav

I'm working. But at the same time, I'm exercising too.

I bid him come towards me and give me his letter, at the same time throwing down, carelessly, a book I had in my hands.

1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC:

However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame. At the same time he cast off the chrysalis of a commonplace existence.

1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter I, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:

At the same time, it is pouring money into cleaning up the country.

2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:

فِي نَفْس اَلْوَقْت

simultaneously — see also at once, simultaneously

On the other hand (introducing an opposing viewpoint).


believably

believably (comparative more believably, superlative most believably)

more believably (comparative)
most believably (superlative)

Believably, Mikey said John pushed him first.

Used to express the speaker's assessment of the credibility of a reported statement.


in principle

With regard to the fundamentals, but not to the particulars.


defensibly

defensibly (comparative more defensibly, superlative most defensibly)

more defensibly (comparative)
most defensibly (superlative)


as far as one knows

John could be dead as far as I know.

To the best of one's knowledge
to the best of one's knowledge

(idiomatic) To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.


presumably

presumably (comparative more presumably, superlative most presumably)

more presumably (comparative)
most presumably (superlative)
præsumably (alternative archaic)

Presumably, he will attend the opening.

Capello made a change on the hour which was presumably enforced by injury as the excellent Young was replaced by Stewart Downing.

2011, Phil McNulty, Euro 2012: Montenegro 2-2 England:

Yet this is the level of [neural] organisation that does the actual thinking—and is, presumably, the seat of consciousness.

2013 August 3, “The machine of a new soul”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8847:


at first blush

From an obsolete sense of blush meaning to glance at.

The finer and more distinctive features of a land require deep study and long acquaintance, but the broader traits of nationality are caught in an instant, or not caught at all. Familiarity with, destroys them, and it is only at first blush that we learn to appreciate them with force.

1843, Charles James Lever, Jack Hinton, the Guardsman:

At first blush it appears rather strange to consider for even a moment the possibility that corporate financial and business disclosure rises to the dignity of speech protected by the First Amendment.

1990, Nicolas Wolfson, Corporate First Amendment: Rights and the Sec, Quorum Books, →ISBN, page 1:

Third, it is only at first blush that one finds no exercises in conceptual elucidation

2002, Clarence A. Bonnen, Daniel E. Flage, Descartes and Method: A Search for a Method in Meditations, page 100:

That may sound innocent at first blush, but a phrase like "American leadership is good … for the world" is a signal that these people want to impose their will on others; and when military strength and moral principle are added, the caution flag must be raised.

2008, Dennis Martin Altman, The First Liberal: A Secular Look at Jesus' Socio-Political Ideas and How They Become the Basis of Modern Liberalism, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 47:

At first blush it seemed the attacks by the werewolf were random.

2012, Cynthia Garner, Secret of the Wolf, Forever, →ISBN:

(idiomatic) Upon first impression or consideration; seemingly, apparently, ostensibly.


reputedly

reputedly (comparative more reputedly, superlative most reputedly)

more reputedly (comparative)
most reputedly (superlative)

Near-synonyms: reportedly, purportedly, putatively, rumoredly, supposedly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly

The old mansion was reputedly haunted, but few were willing to go and investigate.

The brain of a calf, sheep, and pig, young and served fresh, is reputedly erotic in its effects.

1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 49:


in practice

The new tax should have helped the farming community. But in practice farmers generally appear to be worse off than before.

12 July 2012, Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift
On paper, Continental Drift boasts a jaw-dropping voice cast, including but not limited to Jennifer Lopez, Patrick Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Alan Tudyk. But in practice, the overstuffed ensemble leaves the cast no room to distinguish themselves, and directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier don’t seem interested in coaxing performances that might render their money stars less identifiable.

The DfT has yet to announce how the regulations will work in practice.

2023 October 4, Mel Holley, “Network News: Strikes: MPs seek assurance on minimum service levels”, in RAIL, number 993, page 24:

Really, in effect; not just hypothetically.


at first glance

At first glance it seems to be a reasonable idea. But we'll see.

At first glance, thinking well of yourself seems obviously preferable to thinking poorly of yourself. But the problem with […]

2007 August 18, Oliver Burkeman, “Feel good, feel bad”, in The Guardian:

At first glance, Saltburn is classic clash-of-the-classes fare: a tale of social strata, moral vacuity and the seductions of wealth, with a poor boy ushered into his rich friend's kingdom.

2023 November 13, Rosalind Jana, “Saltburn and the bizarre life of Britain's stately homes”, in BBC:

(modal) After only a superficial examination or review.

لِلْوَهْلَة اَلْأُولَى

after only a superficial examination or review


in general

Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,
Most wise in general:

c. 1608, William Shakespeare, Pericles, act V, scene 1:

Yet is the kindness but particular;
’Twere better she were kiss’d in general.

c. 1601, William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, act IV, scene 5:

In the general case; without further assumption; without qualification; in all respects.


in essence

in a fundamental or basic way; essentially, in substance


AFAICS

(chiefly Internet slang) Initialism of as far as I can see.


presumptively

[…] his appointment is presumptively lawful.

2009 January 7, Walter Dellinger, “City of Cold Shoulders”, in New York Times:


according to one's understanding

As far as one can understand with the data and knowledge available at the moment.


in one's opinion

According to one's subjectively formed thoughts, not necessarily having any formal basis in fact.


all else being equal

If I know from the diary that I used to believe P, then all else being equal, this gives me a reason now to believe P.

2001, Richard Foley, Intellectual Trust in Oneself and Others:

(modal) Holding other conditions unchanged; ceteris paribus.


ostensively

ostensively (comparative more ostensively, superlative most ostensively)

more ostensively (comparative)
most ostensively (superlative)


AFAIAC

as far as I am concerned
as far as I'm concerned#English

(Internet slang) Initialism of as far as I am concerned.


defendably

defendably (comparative more defendably, superlative most defendably)

more defendably (comparative)
most defendably (superlative)


rumoredly

rumoredly (comparative more rumoredly, superlative most rumoredly)

more rumoredly (comparative)
most rumoredly (superlative)
rumouredly (alternative)

Near-synonyms: reportedly, reputedly, purportedly, putatively, supposedly, allegedly, ostensibly, possibly, probably, likely, plausibly


rumouredly

rumouredly (comparative more rumouredly, superlative most rumouredly)

more rumouredly (comparative)
most rumouredly (superlative)


by all accounts

The reputation of the elder Baron, although by all accounts justly merited, was destined to be completely thrown into the shade by that of his son[…]

1878, Charles Dickens, All Year Round, page 161:

[…]that they say, by all accounts, it costs him great trouble to make, by rason that he must fast a long time, and pray by the day, afore he gets himself[…]

1887, William Carleton, Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, page 302:

I sent the particulars to the ship-builder, and by all accounts the news killed him, for he died not long after.

2007, Marcus Clarke, For the Term of His Natural Life, →ISBN, page 272:

The society had apparently been formed the previous year, but as the Cheltenham Spa Railway Society, which sounded rather parochial and unambitious - particularly as (by all accounts) its founders had gathered in a garden shed in the town.

2021 December 29, Stephen Roberts, “Stories and facts behind railway plaques Cheltenham (1928)”, in RAIL, number 947, page 60:

(idiomatic) According to everything that people have said.


a good deal

From deal (“division, portion, share”). Compare a great deal, etc.

We had a good deal more money after winning the lottery.

He said he was sometimes whistling a tune to himself — for, like me, he sawed a good deal on the fiddle; […]

1835, James Hogg, The Story of Euphemia Hewit:

She was a good deal frightened by this very sudden change, but she felt that there was no time to be lost, as she was shrinking rapidly: so she set to work at once to eat some of the other bit.

1865, Lewis Carroll, “Chapter 5: Advice from a Caterpillar”, in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:

(idiomatic) Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.


in theory

That sounds fine in theory, but will it work in practice?


at first sight

It looks like a normal car at first sight. But when we open the hood, we discover something quite new.

Superficially, without a full inspection.


from the heart

to come from the heart

to speak straight from the heart


strictly speaking

strictly speaking (comparative more strictly speaking, superlative most strictly speaking)

more strictly speaking (comparative)
most strictly speaking (superlative)

Near-synonyms: technically, stricto sensu

This recipe calls for three kinds of fruit: strawberries, cherries, and rhubarb. Well, strictly speaking, rhubarb is a vegetable.

Saying something as precisely as possible; using a strict sense of a word.


in laywoman's terms

(idiomatic) Phrased simply (for the sake of average women).


in layperson's terms

in layman's terms
in layman's terms#English

(idiomatic) Synonym of in layman's terms.


IANAD

(Internet) Initialism of I am not a doctor.


IANAS

(Internet) Initialism of I am not a scientist.


AFAIAA

(Internet slang) Initialism of as far as I am aware.


recordedly

She was in fact however neither a pampered Jewess nor a lazy Creole; New York had been recordedly her birthplace and "Europe" punctually her discipline.


generally speaking

Generally speaking, today's teenagers aren't much interested in hearing about historical details of typewriter design.

It's worth asking Susan before asking anyone else, generally speaking. She usually knows more than the rest of them put together.

(usually disjunctive) Synonym of in general; generally.


roughly speaking

roughly speaking (comparative more roughly speaking, superlative most roughly speaking)

more roughly speaking (comparative)
most roughly speaking (superlative)

For our prosperity is inherited from our ancestors, and is of an earlier date than the prosperity not only of Philip, but, roughly speaking, of all the kings that have ever reigned in Macedonia.

Not being totally accurate (used as a phrase to specify).