leave a lot to be desired
Related to leave a lot to be desired: leave no stone unturned, gunning for, want for nothing, without a hitch
leave a lot to be desired
To be very inadequate or unsatisfactory; to lack a large amount of what is desired or required. The film has a very interesting premise and a story that has quite a bit of potential, but the final product leaves a lot to be desired. I wasn't expecting a huge amount from a budget hostel, but this place leaves a lot to be desired nonetheless.
See also: desire, leave, lot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
leave a lot to be desired
Cliché to be lacking something important; to be inadequate. (A polite way of saying that something is bad.) 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.
See also: desire, leave, lot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
leave a lot to be desired
Also, leave a great deal or much to be desired . Be imperfect or unsatisfactory. For example, His account of the election leaves a lot to be desired. 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. [Late 1700s]
See also: desire, leave, lot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
leave a lot, much, etc. to be deˈsired
not be good enough: Your standard of work has gone down. In fact it leaves a great deal to be desired. The acting in some of those early movies left much to be desired.See also: desire, leave
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
much
/still less Certainly not: I'm not blaming anyone, much less you.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- leave a lot, much, etc. to be desired
- much
- leave lots to be desired
- leave much to be desired
- leave a great deal to be desired
- leave something to be desired
- under control
- be not up to the mark
- be under par
- it/that won't do