in the abstract
As pure concept
In the abstract means considering something as a general idea or theory rather than in terms of specific, concrete instances.
Someone might support a policy in the abstract but oppose it when confronted with real-world details.
In the abstract, I'm all for free speech, but some of these cases are genuinely difficult.
The phrase often signals a gap between theoretical approval and practical application.
- in theoryHypothetically, not actually
- on paperIn theory only
- universalityApplying to all cases
- objectivityFreedom from personal bias
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
theory · idea · notion · symbolism · hypothesis · thought experiment · distillation · generality · big picture · broad strokes · epistemology · representation · separation · conjecture · isolation · arm's length · speculation · pie in the sky
in the abstractin practice
As things really happen
in reality · on the ground · applied · in action · hands-on
in the abstractin particular
Focusing on one instance
in detail · specifically · concretely · tangibly · in the flesh
abstract, abstraction, abstractions, abstractly, abstractness, abstracted, abstracting, abstracts