The phrase "at large" can be used in two possible ways. In the first instance it refers to particularly the whole of a body or state rather than some part or division of the same. It is used in this way to apply in general to most or all members of some particular group, division or category. In its other sense the phrase "at large" refers to freedom or liberty. In this way it is used to refer to something that should be in captivity or jail and is instead at large.
Examples of its use in these two ways include "The population at large was dissatisfied with the result of the election was the oppositions claim" or "the police are looking for a Siberian tiger that escaped from the zoo and is at large in the metropolitan area".
Examples of its use in these two ways include "The population at large was dissatisfied with the result of the election was the oppositions claim" or "the police are looking for a Siberian tiger that escaped from the zoo and is at large in the metropolitan area".