upon the whole

English

Adverb

upon the whole (not comparable)

  1. Dated form of on the whole.
    • 1736 June 3, Thomas Sheridan, letter to Jonathan Swift:
      My son writes me word that Mr. Vesey's family are angry with me for inserting some lines in the Legion Club touching him. Upon my soul, I never inserted one line in it; and upon the whole, I care not whether they believe me or not.
    • a. 1776, Joseph Baretti, “Dialogue the Fortieth”, in Easy Phraseology for the Use of Those Persons Who Intend to Learn the Colloquial Part of the Italian Language‎, 1835 edition, Turin: Joseph Bocca, page 222:
      With respect to my health, I may say that upon the whole it has been pretty good.
    • c. 1800, Joseph Huddart, Captain Huddart's Report, page 2:
      […] but, upon the whole, it is my opinion, that the sands will continue to increase, […]
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