Leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Rachel Nguyen calendar 2020-12-13 03:12

Meaning of Leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired

Synonyms:

leave a great deal to be desired , leave much to be desired , to be bad , to be unacceptable , to be very unsatisfactory , to be inadequate , to be imperfect

Leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired negative formal polite verb phrase

"Leave a lot to be desired" is a polite way of saying that something is bad.
"Leave something to be desired" is rather negative, and means that you are somewhat unsatisfied with the situation. "His speech left something to be desired: it was rambling and his conclusion was unclear."
This usage can also be put in a more positive way, that is, "leave nothing to be desired", meaning "to be perfectly satisfactory," as in "His account leaves nothing to be desired". [the Late 1700s] or "My new job leaves nothing to be desired-- I have a high salary, an office with a sea view, and a beautiful secretary!"

To be of lower-than- expected quality or standard; to be very inadequate or unsatisfactory

This report leaves a lot to be desired. I'm sorry to have to fire you, Mary, but your work leaves a lot to be desired.

The service in this hotel left a lot to be desired.

Michael's idea of changing his eating habit left a lot to be desired.

Other phrases about:

strong nerves
An ability to not be upset by unpleasant things.
deja vu
a feeling of having previously experienced something in the present situation
put (oneself) in (someone's) shoes

To try to imagine how would you feel if you were in someone's else situation

Can't (or don't) Judge a Book by Its Cover

Said to show that you can't tell what something or someone is like by looking at their appearance only.

in hog heaven

A feeling of tremendous ease or happiness.

Grammar and Usage of Leave a lot, much, something, etc. to be desired

Verb Forms

  • leaves a lot to be desired
  • leaving a lot to be desired
  • left a lot to be desired
  • to leave a lot to be desired

The verb "leave" should be conjugated according to its tense.

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