in broad daylight

I

(in) broad daylight

Meaning 

• during the daytime
• used to express when something unconventional is done openly
• when something so surprising and shocking is done in the open when people can clearly see
• used to talk about something shocking that has been committed and could have been prevented

It is prevalent, especially when explaining daring and illegal activities happening in daytime hours when everyone can see what is happening.

Example Sentences

1. Politicians strongly condemn corruption and nepotism during political rallies, yet they go ahead and misuse public resources in broad daylight.
2. In these sides of town, crime rates are so high you could get robbed in broad daylight.
3. Phillip and Megan held such a grand wedding, yet he still cheated on her in broad daylight.
4. The world is really in a mess right now. Kidnapping and human trafficking are happening in broad daylight.
5. Each year, the government allocates millions of dollars towards fighting narcotics abuse, yet cartels sell them in broad daylight.
6. The three armed men shot the businessman in broad daylight.
7. The beautiful woman was shot at very close range in broad daylight in front of her house in Washington DC.

Origin

‘Robbed in daylight.’ The expression was first printed in 1579, though its near relative, synonym, and forerunner’ broad day’ was first printed in 1393. Dating back to the 10th century.

Days, Light, Time