close enough for government work
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Originally nonironic (meaning good enough to meet especially high standards); later evolved to mean good enough, though only barely.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Adjective[edit]
close enough for government work (not comparable)
- (US, idiomatic, humorous, derogatory) Adequate: acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.
- (Canada, idiomatic, humorous) Acceptable: equivalent to government work, neither worse nor better.