à tout prendre

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all things considered, on balance
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/a tu pʁɑ̃dʁ/
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A judgment reached after considering all sides.

Examples

  • À tout prendre, je préfère la première solution.
    All things considered, I prefer the first solution.
  • À tout prendre, mieux vaut attendre demain.
    On balance, it is better to wait until tomorrow.
  • À tout prendre, son offre reste la plus solide.
    All things considered, his offer is still the strongest.
  • Ce compromis est, à tout prendre, acceptable.
    This compromise is, on the whole, acceptable.
  • Le voyage fut, à tout prendre, une réussite.
    The trip was, on balance, a success.

Similar words

en fin de compte
somme toute
tout bien considéré

Meanings

All things considered

overall judgment
formal
Introduces an overall conclusion after weighing the advantages and drawbacks of a situation.

Examples

  • À tout prendre, je préfère la première solution.
    All things considered, I prefer the first solution.
  • Le voyage fut, à tout prendre, une réussite.
    The trip was, on balance, a success.
  • À tout prendre, son offre reste la plus solide.
    All things considered, his offer is still the strongest.
  • Ce compromis est, à tout prendre, acceptable.
    This compromise is, on the whole, acceptable.
  • À tout prendre, mieux vaut attendre demain.
    On balance, it is better to wait until tomorrow.

Similar words

Etymology

Literally “taking everything”; the fixed phrase weighs the whole situation.

FAQ

What does à tout prendre mean?

All things considered.

Does it introduce a conclusion?

Yes, after weighing several aspects.

Is it a literal command to take things?

No, it is a fixed adverbial phrase.

Can it qualify a mixed result?

Yes, a result may be acceptable overall.

How is it pronounced?

It is pronounced /a tu pʁɑ̃dʁ/.

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