Meaning: Ending a thought with the phrase "if you will" to add acceptance to the thought. Continue reading if you will
Category: Idioms
Idioms are expressions with greater meaning. Phrases like "nick of time" or "in other words" or "for heaven's sake". Definition: a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word understood on its own:
by and large
Meaning: In every aspect; on the whole; in general. For example, "By in large, everything he said was accurate".
from ‘Discourse & Conversation Analysis’
I'm sure you've encountered all manner of theories purporting to explain the significance of things coming in threes. Here is another one for your collection, from 'Discourse & Conversation Analysis', an interesting branch of sociology that concerns itself with the linguistic and behavioural conventions that underpin day-to-day social life.
