Thread: "в общем"

It means "in general". В общем is something like короче (короче говоря). People say when they want to finish a conversation, a discussion of a particular theme or to make a conclusion. It can probably be a filler word.
For example, you are listening to a long explanation, but you have already understood. Then you say: В общем, я поняла. В общем is close to вообще.

Yes, Marcus is right. When you say ''all in all'', ''on the whole'' it means в общем as well.