Thursday 27 December 2007

Phrase of the Day 171: 'at large'

"to be at large"


definition: An indication that a prisoner has escaped and is free.

example: In the movie "Escape From Alcatraz," three prisoners managed to escape Alcatraz and were at large, never to be heard from again.

origin: This phrase refers to a French phrase "prendre la large" meaning to stand out to sea so as to be free to move. "Large" also has another nautical meaning as in 'By and Large'.

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