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leave something to be desired. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
leave something to be desired, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
leave something to be desired in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
leave something to be desired you have here. The definition of the word
leave something to be desired will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
leave something to be desired, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /liːv ˈsʌmθɪŋ tu biː dɪˈzaɪə(ɹ)d/
Verb
leave something to be desired (third-person singular simple present leaves something to be desired, present participle leaving something to be desired, simple past and past participle left something to be desired)
- (idiomatic) to be insufficient in some aspect.
1835, An essay on the use of chlorurets of oxide of sodium and of lime, page 35:These instructions are too short not to leave something to be desired under certain circumstances; but the knowledge of veterinary surgeons will supply whatever may be incomplete
1921, Foxes from Northern Argentina, page 386: the drawings of the bats, though very artistic, leave something to be desired as regards detail.
1951 November, R. K. Kirkland, “The Wimbledon and West Croydon Line of the Southern Region”, in Railway Magazine, page 726:Nevertheless, the trains are well patronised, for road services in the district leave something to be desired.
2013, Slow train to Guantanamo : a rail odyssey through Cuba in the last days of the Castros, page 125:To say Cuban train toilets leave something to be desired would not just be an understatement, it would suggest the person speaking inhabited an altogether alien reality.