English in a Minute: Across-the-Board

Welcome to English in a Minute!

The phrase “across-the-board" comes from horse racing. A bet placed on horses that come in first, second, and third is an across-the-board bet. But we use this in other ways, too.

A: Dan, don’t forget pickle ball practice tonight!
D: But we don’t practice on Fridays.
A: Coach said all members across-the-board must practice pickle ball before a big pickle ball game.
D: But I lead our team in wins.
A: Even great pickle ball players need pickle ball practice.
D: Okay, fine. Just please stop saying “pickle ball.”

If something is across-the-board, it affects everything or everyone within a system the same way. Even the best pickle ball players on a pickle ball team.