leave much to be desired
Not good enough
Leave much to be desired describes something significantly lacking in quality or falling short of expectations.
The phrase is typically understated criticism—saying a restaurant's service left much to be desired is more diplomatic than calling it poor.
The opposite construction, leaves nothing to be desired, means completely satisfactory.
- unsatisfactoryNot good enough
- mediocreOf only moderate quality
- imperfectHaving flaws or faults
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- subparBelow acceptable quality
not up to scratch · below par · underwhelming · insufficient · wanting · could be better · inferior · fall short · flawed · unsuitable · disappointment · lacking · unacceptable · fail · letdown · unimpressive · second rate · questionable
leave much to be desiredexceed expectations
hit the mark · deliver the goods · hit it out of the park · knock it out of the park · pass muster
leave much to be desiredhit the spot
Meet a need perfectly
tick all the boxes · deliver the goods · fill the bill · do the trick · suffice
leave, leaves, leaving, leaver, desire, desired, desires, desiring, desirable