across the board Definition

across
prep

1. To, at or on the other side of something.

Thesaurus: opposite (to), to the other side of, athwart, facing, in front of.
2. From one side of something to the other.
3. So as to cross something.

Example: arms folded across the chest

adverb

1. To, at or on the other side.
2. From one side to the other.

Thesaurus: crosswise, to the opposite side, transversely, from side to side, from one side to another, athwart.
3. In a crossword: in the horizontal direction. Compare down adverb 10.

Example: 6 across

Derivative: across the board
adverb, adj

Generally or general; applying in all cases.
Example: an across-the-board increase in pay
Thesaurus: common, general, universal.

Etymology: 15c as adverb meaning ‘crossed' or ‘crosswise': a-¹ + cross.

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board
noun

1. A long flat strip of wood.

Thesaurus: plank, beam, slat, strip, lath, panel, sheet.
2. A piece of material resembling this, made from fibres compressed together.

Example: chipboard
3a. A flat piece of wood or other hard solid material, used for a specified purpose or of a specified kind;

Example: notice board
Example: ironing board
Example: blackboard
3b. A slab, table or other flat surface prepared for playing a game on.

Example: chessboard
Example: dart-board
4. Thick stiff card used eg for binding books.
5. A person's meals, provided in return for money.

Example: bed and board
6a. An official group of people controlling or managing an organization, etc, or examining or interviewing candidates;

Example: a board of examiners
Thesaurus: committee, council, cabinet, conclave, commission, jury, trustees.
6b. A group of individual directors appointed by a company, who are collectively responsible for its management.

Form: board of directors (also)
(US)
7. The stock exchange, especially the New York Stock Exchange.
8. A theatre stage.

Example: tread the boards
Form: the boards
9. naut.
The side of a ship.

verb boarded, boarding

1. To enter or get on to (a ship, aeroplane, bus, etc).

Thesaurus: embark, catch, mount, emplane, entrain, climb; Antonym: disembark.
2. To cover (a gap or entrance) with boards.

Form: board something up (usually)
intr
3a. To receive accommodation and meals in someone else's house, in return for payment;

Example: I boarded with Mrs Green
intr
3b. To receive accommodation and meals at school; to attend school as a boarder 2.
4. To provide someone with accommodation and meals in return for payment.
5. To arrange for them to receive accommodation and meals away from home.

Form: board someone out (also)

Derivative: above board
adverb

Openly (see also separate entry above-board).

Idiom: across the board

See under across.

Idiom: go by the board

colloq
To be given up or ignored. From nautical usage (see noun 9 above): something that has fallen or been thrown, etc ‘by the board' (ie overboard) and has disappeared for good.

Idiom: on board

On or into a ship or aeroplane, etc.

Idiom: sweep the board

To win everything or take all the prizes.

To take (ie win) all the cards or money from the board (see noun 3 above).

Idiom: take something on board

To understand or accept (new ideas or responsibilities, etc).

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon bord.