across the board

1 of 2

phrase

: so as to include or affect all classes or categories

cut spending across the board

also : in all areas or respects

considered an average player across the board

across-the-board

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈkrȯs-ṯẖə-ˈbȯrd 

1

: placed to win if a competitor wins, places, or shows

an across-the-board racing bet

2

: embracing or affecting all classes or categories : blanket

an across-the-board price increase

Synonyms of across the board

Adjective

• general
• overall
• generic
• universal
• common
• broad

Examples of across the board in a Sentence

Adjective

an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The act raised tariffs more generally across the board and became notorious among economists for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Son of Curlin should like the distance and could be a good across the board play if the price is right. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The state budget, approved in June, imposed the across-the-board limit for the next three years in a bid to stabilize state revenues. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

If the trust fund that supplements incoming payroll taxes to pay monthly Social Security benefits is depleted, recipients would face an immediate across-the-board 22% benefits cut, the latest Board of Trustees report on Social Security said. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1946, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for across the board

• particleboard
• phonorecord
• underinsured
• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard