close enough for government work
The phrase "close enough for government work" has evolved from indicating high standards to humorously suggesting that something is merely adequate or meets the minimum standards.
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Definition
C1General
(humorous, derogatory, informal)Adequate but not perfect, often implying that it meets only the minimum standards.
Example
- The paint job isn't flawless, but it's close enough for government work.
- His report was filled with errors, but he shrugged it off as close enough for government work.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "close enough for government work":