in practice

English[edit]

Really, in effect; not just hypothetically.
The new tax should have helped the farming community. But in practice farmers generally appear to be worse off than before.
- 12 July 2012, Sam Adams, AV Club Ice Age: Continental Drift
  On paper, Continental Drift boasts a jaw-dropping voice cast, including but not limited to Jennifer Lopez, Patrick Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Alan Tudyk. But in practice, the overstuffed ensemble leaves the cast no room to distinguish themselves, and directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier don’t seem interested in coaxing performances that might render their money stars less identifiable.
- 2023 October 4, Mel Holley, “Network News: Strikes: MPs seek assurance on minimum service levels”, in RAIL, number 993, page 24:
  The DfT has yet to announce how the regulations will work in practice.
Regularly practising an activity so as to remain skilled in it.
Antonym: out of practice

really, in effect