1
general::
Phrase(s): in the main
basically; generally. • Mary: Everything looks all right—in the main. Sally: What details need attention? Mary: Just a few things here and there. Like on page 27. • John: Are you all ready? Sue: I think we’re ready, in the main. John: Then, we shall go.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
For the most part, chiefly, as in It was an excellent conference in the main. [First half of 1600s]
American Heritage Idioms