close enough for government work
English
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Adjective
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.