Organization network graphic on presentation board
If something applies to everyone or everything, it's across the board. It's most often used to talk about money.
Here are some examples of how to use this phrase:
- The new tax rates apply across the board.
- Good news! Our profits were so good last quarter, we'll be giving bonuses across the board!
You can also use it as an adjective:
A: How do you propose we pay for the new computer system?
B: We'll have to make across-the-board budget cuts.
Did you know? The expression originally comes from horse racing, meaning to bet on a horse to come in first, second and third, or across the whole betting board where odds and race results are displayed.