so-so

Related to so-so: tenaciously, temporarily, impatiently, obviously, permanently, bewildering

so-so

1. adjective Neither especially good nor especially bad; average, passable, or mediocre. A: "How was the movie?" B: "Eh, so-so." The book had a very compelling setup, but so-so writing dragged it down.
2. adjective In an average, passable, or mediocre manner; not especially well but not especially badly. The film only did so-so during its opening weekend, but it proved to be a consistent earner for weeks to come. The computer is very affordable, but that's only because it runs so-so during normal usage.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

so-so

1. mod. average; mediocre. It was just so-so. Nothing to write home about.
2. mod. tipsy; alcohol intoxicated. They were so-so after a while—in front of the television with all that beer and stuff. He’s so-so, but he can still stand up.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • not (all) that good/bad/well/poor/etc.
  • not all that good, well, etc.
  • old enough to be (one's) mother
  • old enough to be mother
  • one's sunset years
  • sunset years
  • twilight
  • twilight years
  • rumble on
  • the advantage of
References in periodicals archive
I hope STRIKER Fernando Torres has been described as "so-so" by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
BOSS NEVER FORCES ANY PLAYER ON ME
Japan is also performing "so-so," although it is a rich country and operating at a high level, it has had relatively slow growth.
C&W maps out road ahead in new real estate world
Instead of a huge posse of so-so friends, focus on the finer few.
Star signs
The program was completed with a so-so performance of Lander's Etudes with American Carmen Cavallo, New Zealander Andrew Bowman, and French Jean-Lucien Massot leading the disappointingly muted revels (no Toni Lander, John Gilpin, Flemming Flindt, this present decently adegnate trio!).
The Royal Danish Ballet
Handling is so-so, don't expect to go hurtling into corners, but the steering is precise and direct and despite its size the vehicle is simplicity to drive.
Bump along with power
JAMES McEVELEY v DAVID BECKHAM The England captain is back to his best after a so-so first half of the season.
Football: EWOOD PARK BATTLE LINES
There is the so-so site of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland at www.riai.ei and Archeire, a great site to do with all Irish architectural and heritage things, at www.archeire.com.
Browser. (View)
But let's face it, whatever its stars might think, it was a so-so movie, a faithful reworking of the book but one which deviated barely a line from the text.
Pottermania dying down
The exception is a relatively stolid institutional scene, into which the UCLA Hammer Museum, long a venue for sprawling, mostly so-so group shows, has unexpectedly thrown a monkey wrench.
GETS A GRIP
In clinical practice, technical skills often outweigh interpersonal and leadership skills as success factors--you can be a great doctor and a so-so person.
Getting started as a physician executive. (Career RX)
"Last year was a so-so year for most foreign equity markets," says Eveillard.
Diversify your portfolio by investing internationally: if you want to expose your money to a high-growth market, foreign funds are your best bet
When a friend asks that question, the response is usually a well-chosen word or two: Great," "So-so" or, more likely, considering today's sluggish business environment, Ugh.
A better way to check a company's financial health
5 to 8 SO-SO! (So-so that's why you've been feeling a little sick lately).
Is it safe?
It relies too much on a standard "then I went there' narrative format, and at times the writing quality is so-so. But these flaws pale beside its achievements, not the least of which is that Broyles went on his own, without connections or money, which allowed him to interview many average Vietnamese in unhurried circumstances.
Brothers in arms: a journey from war to peace
Despite so-so finishes early in the Philippine Golf Tour season, Clyde Mondilla comes into the first round of his defense of the PH Masters on Wednesday brimming with confidence.
Mondilla upbeat as PH masters starts