head at large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "head at large" is not commonly used in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used to refer to a leader or person in charge who is not confined to a specific area or role, but clarity is needed for effective communication. Example: "The head at large of the organization made a surprise visit to the local branches to assess their operations."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While her advisers have said that Mrs. Clinton would never cry on command to win sympathy from voters, they also believe that these moments are effective, and that she needs to start showing "more heart than head" at large rallies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

OF AMPLIFICATION on Hersey's "recent essay on James Agee, which appeared under the heading A Critic at Large in the July 18th 19888) issue,… A CRITIC AT LARGE about James Agee's life (born 1909) as a journalist, novelist, and screenwriter until his death in 1955.

The New Yorker

And it's not a coincidence that the Pittsburgh region is slurping down narcotics at a rate higher than our pill-head nation at large, says Capretto, who has treated addition in the region for 30 years.

Vice

For example, participant P3 shows larger errors for head positions at larger heights (i.e., H3 and H4).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

In doing so, the plan seeks to give Washington the tools to police the shadow system of finance that has operated outside the government's purview, and to make it easier for regulators to head off problems at large, troubled institutions or take control of them if they fail.

The New York Times

In doing so, the plan seeks to give Washington the tools to police the shadow system of finance that has grown up outside the government's purview, and to make it easier for regulators to head off problems at large, troubled institutions or take control of them if they fail.

The New York Times

He fled after striking the guard on the head and remained at large Thursday, police said.

Forbes

For example, quite a few of the delegates at our meeting were lab heads, so at larger meetings attended by a lot of junior scientists it would be interesting to use 'scientific seniority' as an additional criterion when calculating the distance between delegates with a view to pairing these junior scientists with senior figures in the field.

eLife

OF AMPLIFICATION on Hersey's "recent essay on James Agee, which appeared under the heading A Critic at Large in the July 18th 19888) issue,… DEPT.

The New Yorker

OF AMPLIFICATION on Hersey's "recent essay on James Agee, which appeared under the heading A Critic at Large in the July 18th 19888) issue, I did not give sufficient credited to some of the writings that had been helpful, beyond my own recollections, in the preparation of the article - works that recount various incidents from Agee's life.

The New Yorker

He carried on his back or head at least one large effigy carved in softwood; the effigy was partially painted, but it was mainly decorated with white, red, and blue seeds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "head at large", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a leader with broad responsibilities or someone who is currently being searched for by authorities. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "head at large" if the context could confuse the reader into thinking you are referring to a fugitive. Alternatives like "leader overall" or "chief in general" are clearer in many cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "head at large" functions as a noun phrase that describes a person who is in charge but not necessarily tied to a specific location or task. Ludwig identifies varied usage, and its appropriateness depends heavily on context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "head at large" is somewhat ambiguous and context-dependent. It can refer to a leader with broad responsibilities or, less commonly, someone who is a fugitive. Ludwig analysis indicates that it is grammatically acceptable, although its usage requires careful consideration to avoid confusion. When referring to leadership roles, alternatives like "overall leader" or "general manager" might offer greater clarity. According to Ludwig AI, clarity is needed for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall leader

Focuses on the leadership aspect without specifying a physical location.

general manager

Emphasizes management responsibilities across a broad area.

chief executive

Highlights the executive power and wide-ranging duties.

roving director

Implies a director who is not tied to a single location.

editor-at-large

Specifies a role in editing with broad responsibilities.

ambassador-at-large

Refers to an ambassador with wide-ranging duties and no specific post.

wandering supervisor

Suggests a supervisor who moves between locations.

mobile administrator

Emphasizes the administrator's mobility and broad scope.

chief representative

Highlights the representative function across a large area.

independent supervisor

Suggests a supervisor working independently over a large area.

FAQs

How can I use "head at large" in a sentence?

The phrase "head at large" can be used to describe a leader with broad responsibilities. For instance: "The head at large of the organization made a surprise visit to the local branches to assess their operations."

What does "at large" mean in the phrase "head at large"?

In this context, "at large" means "in general" or "not confined to a specific area or role". It implies that the leader's responsibilities are broad and not limited to a particular department or location.

What can I say instead of "head at large"?

You can use alternatives like "overall leader", "chief in general", or "general manager" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "head at large" to refer to a fugitive?

While "at large" can mean "not yet captured", using "head at large" to refer to a fugitive could be confusing. It's better to say "the suspect is "still at large"" or "the fugitive is "on the run"" for clarity.