in practice

idiomPart ofpractice

in practice — idiom

1. What actually happens, as opposed to what is supposed to happen.

1.idiom
Definition

What actually happens, as opposed to what is supposed to happen.

Example

The rule looks good on paper, but in practice it fails.

In practice, the new system saved the company a lot of money.

2. when something is actually done or experienced, especially in contrast to how it

2.idiom
Definition

when something is actually done or experienced, especially in contrast to how it was planned or described.

Example

The new law sounds simple, but in practice it confuses both shopkeepers and customers.

In theory the bus runs every ten minutes; in practice you often wait half an hour.