fair to middling

1. Mediocre, pretty good, so-so, as in I asked them how they liked their new home and John answered, “Fair to middling. This phrase, often a reply to an inquiry about one's health, business, or the like, is redundant, since fair and middling both mean “moderately good.” [Mid-1800s] Also see can't complain.

Example Sentences

Who would have thought that a movie that got only fair to middling reviews when it premiered would wind up with a live musical experience and a Diane Sawyer special?

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Isaac cage match, which supplies fair to middling action and sentiment and consistently satisfying laughs.

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Seems as if their defense might be at least fair to middling.

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His putting on Bermuda is very fair to middling but with him likely to be creating a lot of opportunities an average putting display this week should be more than enough to return value.

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Just a fair to middling QB otherwise, those victories cemented Manning’s place as a legendary New York sports figure.

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