close enough for government work

close enough for government work

Good enough; OK; only satisfactory. The phrase implies that government work is usually of mediocre quality. When my project ripped in half as I walked out the door, my mom glued it back together and sent me on my way, saying, "It's close enough for government work!"
See also: close, enough, government, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

close enough for government work

 and good enough for government work
sufficiently close; done just well enough. (Alludes to the notion that work for the government is not done with care or pride.) I didn't do the best job of mending your shirt, but it's close enough for government work.
See also: close, enough, government, work
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • Government
  • good enough for government work
  • add up to the same thing
  • amount to the same thing
  • amount/come to the same thing
  • blessed with (something)
  • not (even) go there
  • not go there
  • send (one) on (one's) way
  • the noose is hanging
References in periodicals archive
If it can remain focused on this guiding principle, close enough for Government work will become a goal that others strive for rather than a late-show punch line.