Not all, everything, etc. somebody’s cracked up to be

usgb
phrase

To not be as good, impressive, or successful as people say.

I just read that book that everyone has been talking about and honestly, it wasn't all it's cracked up to be.
Visual representation of "not all, everything, etc. somebody’s cracked up to be" - To not be as good, impressive, or successful as people say

Often appears as...

  • not all it's cracked up to be
  • not everything he's cracked up to be

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "not all, everything, etc. somebody’s cracked up to be"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Expectation Gap

Shows a difference between what people say about something and the actual experience.

Illustration for Expectation Gap
The movie everyone raved about wasn't everything it was cracked up to be.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Mild Disappointment

Used to express mild disappointment, not a severe failure or fault.

Illustration for Mild Disappointment
The famous burger place wasn't all it's cracked up to be, but it was still okay.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Casual Conversations

Best used in casual conversations rather than in formal contexts.

Illustration for Casual Conversations
I heard so much about this gadget, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Visual representation of the word "Not all, everything, etc. somebody’s cracked up to be"

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