Across the board

Meaning

Applying equally to everyone or everything.

Usage

Used to describe universal policies.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

From horse racing handicaps applied evenly across entrants.

Used in politics and economics to describe sweeping actions.