Make a better, good, poor, etc. fist of something
phrase
To handle or deal with something in a better, good, poor, etc. manner.
He didn't make a good fist of his new job.
Often appears as...
- make a good fist of
- make a poor fist of
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To handle or deal with something in a better, good, poor, etc. manner.
He didn't make a good fist of his new job.
Often appears as...
- make a good fist of
- make a poor fist of
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Effort Implication
The phrase suggests the effort taken to achieve something, not just the outcome.
Despite the difficulties, she made a good fist of organizing the event.
Pro Tip 2/3Subjectivity
What makes a 'good' or 'poor' fist can be subjective, varying by someone's perspective.
I thought he made a poor fist of the negotiations, but others disagreed.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Nuance
This phrase is more common in British English and may not be well understood elsewhere.
In her first cricket match, she made a better fist of batting than bowlers expected.
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