by and largeWiktionary 原文词源说明From sailing: a ship may (or may not) sail well both close by the wind, and large, downwind, with sheets extended.释义（英文）副词 Adverb(idiomatic, focus) Mostly; generally; all things considered.(idiomatic, obsolete) In one way or another.(nautical) Sailing alternately into the wind and in the same direction as the wind.