in practice
.
Actually, in fact, especially as opposed to theoretically or
in principle
For example,
In practice this contraption seems to work, although no one knows how or why
.
[
Second half of 1500s
]
Also see:
put into practice
.
In the exercise of a particular profession, as in
She's an obstetrician and has been in practice for at least ten years
.
[
c. 1700
]
.
In a state of being exercised so as to maintain one's skill, as in
This trumpeter is always in practice
.
[
Early 1600s
]
For an antonym, see
out of practice