[shineon]

I thought it was buy in large. Like buy bulk to save in the long run.

: 0

[Right Wing Assault]

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-and-large.html

It’s a old nautical term. “Large” means with the wind and “by” means against the wind. In other words, if a ship can sail “by and large” it can sail against the wind or with the wind. In other words, ‘for the most part,’ or ‘generally,’ or ‘on the whole,’ or ‘mostly,’ or ‘usually.’

“Buy in large,” while a good idea, doesn’t usually fit the context of the sentence.