Useful English Word or Phrase to Boost Your English: To be still at large

What does it mean?

This is used to describe someone - usually a dangerous criminal - who hasn't been caught by the police or authorities yet.

Is it positive or negative?

It's always used as a negative.

When do you use it?

You can use it to report that someone dangerous is still among us and we should be careful. It can also be used to show humour for small things - see example 2.

Examples

Example 1: The suspect is still at large.

Example 2: A dog is still at large in the area.

Question for you

Have you ever heard "still at large" on the news?

Are you looking for English speaking practice online?

A phrase like "To be still at large" can make you sound more natural straight away. I teach practical speaking in online English lessons with a British native speaker, so you know when and how to use it. You can also explore To Be Torn. Find out more here.