Fair to middling

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adjective phrase

Average, just okay, not very good or bad.

Our team's performance today was fair to middling, we'll need to improve for the next match.
Visual representation of "fair to middling" - Average, just okay, not very good or bad.

Often appears as...

  • to feel fair to middling
  • to perform fair to middling

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "fair to middling"
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Colloquial Use

The phrase is used in casual, informal conversations more than in formal writing or speeches.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
I'm feeling fair to middling today, just hanging in there.
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Neutral Mood

'Fair to middling' suggests a mood that's neither too good nor too bad, expressing a balanced state.

Illustration for Neutral Mood
How's your day going? - It's fair to middling.
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Understatement

Sometimes, it is used as an understatement for modesty or to imply that things could be better.

Illustration for Understatement
Business is fair to middling, but we're hoping it'll pick up soon.
Visual representation of the word "Fair to middling"

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