across the board
Meaning(s)
1. affecting everyone/everything within an organization or situation
Popularity
High
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
changes/job cuts/wage increases have been implemented across the board
Analysis
If something happens or is experienced 'across the board', it happens to - or is experienced by - everyone involved. For example, there might be increases in taxes 'across the board', meaning that everyone will be affected by the increases. This expression is generally heard in a professional context, and it could relate to changes, policies, rules or laws, or anything by which everyone or every department or group in a situation is affected.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- The new tax will drive up grocery prices across the board.
- Everyone I have talked to is feeling positive about us winning the league, there's optimism across the board.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- The new staff rules have been applied across the board so that everyone, from those in the highest positions to entry-level jobs, will have to abide by them.
- The turnaround of the business has been extraordinary. Improvements can be seen across the board, with every department reporting a profit.