broad strokes
Major features or key points; outline.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He explained the plan in broad strokes.”
“The architect described the new building in broad strokes before showing us the detailed blueprints.”
“The historian painted the era in broad strokes, focusing on major political shifts rather than the daily lives of ordinary citizens.”
Attested as an allusion to a manner of painting, in which a brush is used to apply pigment in wide, non-specific movements. The imagery suggests the initial stages of a composition where detail is sacrificed for the sake of the general outline.
- 01
broad and shallow
Associated with the Broad Church; latitudinarian.
- 02
broad brush
A style or approach that deals with something in very general, sweeping terms, without attention to fine details or subtle nuances.
- 03
broad in the beam
Wide across the hips, with large buttocks.
- 04
broad shoulders
the ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.
- 05
down to the short strokes
In the final steps or decisive phase of an undertaking, especially one which has been lengthy or laborious.
- 06
little strokes fell great oaks
Small but persistent efforts can lead to big results.
- 07
not be able to hit the broad side of a barn
To have very poor aim, such as while using firearms or in sports.
- 08
paint with a broad brush
To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.
Last updated August 10, 2026