not half bad
Better than expected
Not half bad is a deliberately understated way of saying something is good or better than expected.
The double negative—not and half bad—resolves to a modest positive: The new restaurant is not half bad.
The phrase often carries mild surprise, as when something turns out better than anticipated: For a first attempt, that's not half bad.
Acceptably good
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- satisfactoryMeeting minimum requirements
- reasonableShowing sound judgment
- passableMinimally sufficient quality
adequate · respectable · solid · commendable · competent · pleasing · favorable · agreeable
Adequate or permitted
- fineAcceptable in quality
- all rightSatisfactory or unharmed
- tolerableAble to be endured
- sufficientMeeting minimum requirements
fair · serviceable · palatable · unobjectionable · average · middling · so-so · workable
Not anticipated beforehand
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- eye-openingSurprisingly informative or enlightening
- pleasantly surprisedReaction to welcome news
- underestimatedMisjudged as inferior
decent
Acceptably good
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- satisfactoryMeeting minimum requirements
- reasonableShowing sound judgment
passable · adequate · respectable · solid · commendable · competent · pleasing · favorable · agreeable · pleasant
okay
Adequate or permitted
sufficient · fair · serviceable · palatable · unobjectionable · average · middling · so-so · workable · functional
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- astonishingCausing great wonder
- eye-openingSurprisingly informative or enlightening
- pleasantly surprisedReaction to welcome news
underestimated · revelation · hidden gem · sleeper hit · dark horse