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Thread: a phrase

  1. #1
    Подающий надежды оратор
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    a phrase

    How to say

    что-то "оставляет желать лучшего"

    in English??

    Thanks everyone!

  2. #2
    Властелин charlestonian's Avatar
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    Re: a phrase

    Quote Originally Posted by ostrov
    How to say

    что-то "оставляет желать лучшего"

    in English??

    Thanks everyone!
    (something) "leaves more to be desired"

    Examples:

    The Collegian Online: ‘Rocky Horror’ leaves more to be desired
    ‘Rocky Horror’ leaves more to be desired. Joey De, Staff Writer. If there I have learned one thing during lunch at Arby’s, it’s that different is good. ...
    www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=2738 - 10k - Cached - Similar pages

    Mio 169 leaves more to be desired than it offers | Geek.com
    Mio 169 leaves more to be desired than it offers. by palmsolo posted on May 23, 2005 2:06 pm. Integrated GPS is the only decent feature ...
    www.geek.com/mio-169-leaves-more-to-be- ... it-offers/ - 31k - Cached - Similar pages

    The Kudzu Gazette :: Opinion
    One Night Stand Leaves More to be Desired. printer friendly. 20 Apr 2005. by Bryan David Finlayson On Saturday, the NCSA symphony orchestra performed ...
    kudzugazette.com/opinion.php?subaction=showfull&id=1114033567&archi ve=&start_from=&ucat=5... - 17k
    Well, I don't know what to say. I want to say thanks to the Academy, to Mama, to Papa and to my dog. I love you all.

  3. #3
    Завсегдатай chaika's Avatar
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    leaves something to be desired
    Sarcasm.

  4. #4
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    Tehre is no sarcasm in the Russian equivalent.
    «И всё, что сейчас происходит внутре — тоже является частью вселенной».

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    In BrE, it's "leaves a lot to be desired".

  6. #6
    Властелин charlestonian's Avatar
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    I think all three versions are correct, and it all depends on the context which one to use, to reflect the degree of desire: "more," "something," or "a lot."
    Well, I don't know what to say. I want to say thanks to the Academy, to Mama, to Papa and to my dog. I love you all.

  7. #7
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    I've certainly heard "leaves something to be desired", and several other variations.

    This is the first time I've ever heard "leaves more to be desired" though.

  8. #8
    Завсегдатай mishau_'s Avatar
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    Я прощу прощения за вмешательство, а что такое

    something is still found wanted?

    Это не из той же серии?

    Спасибо.
    English Edition

    В обычных странах церковь отделена от государства, а в России - от Бога.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by mishau_
    Я прощу прощения за вмешательство, а что такое

    something is still found wanted?

    Это не из той же серии?

    Спасибо.
    Are you sure the phrase isn't "... found wanting"?

    "Found wanting" means failing to achieve a certain standard.

  10. #10
    Властелин charlestonian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by scotcher
    I've certainly heard "leaves something to be desired", and several other variations.

    This is the first time I've ever heard "leaves more to be desired" though.
    It may not be the most common phrase but there are 625 hits on Google for "leaves more to be desired" (in parentheses, that is, the exact phrase).
    Well, I don't know what to say. I want to say thanks to the Academy, to Mama, to Papa and to my dog. I love you all.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by charlestonian
    Quote Originally Posted by scotcher
    I've certainly heard "leaves something to be desired", and several other variations.

    This is the first time I've ever heard "leaves more to be desired" though.
    It may not be the most common phrase but there are 625 hits on Google for "leaves more to be desired" (in parentheses, that is, the exact phrase).
    I didn't say that it didn't exist, only that I had never heard it.

    It's almost certain that there are plenty of set phrases in the English language that I happen never to have heard. This may be one of them. Or google may be finding 625 articles where illiterate people have mangled the same phrase in the same way.

  12. #12
    Завсегдатай chaika's Avatar
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    I'm with you, Scotcher. Never heard "leaves more....". It does not sound normal to me. Also, you are right about "leaves a lot to be desired." That's the phrase.

  13. #13
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    Is Leaves much to be desired ok?
    Send me a PM if you need me.

  14. #14
    Властелин charlestonian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramil
    Is Leaves much to be desired ok?
    It's OK too, methink...
    Well, I don't know what to say. I want to say thanks to the Academy, to Mama, to Papa and to my dog. I love you all.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ramil
    Is Leaves much to be desired ok?
    Yes, I've heard that plenty of times.
    Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself. - Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

  16. #16
    Властелин charlestonian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by scotcher
    Quote Originally Posted by charlestonian
    Quote Originally Posted by scotcher
    I've certainly heard "leaves something to be desired", and several other variations.

    This is the first time I've ever heard "leaves more to be desired" though.
    It may not be the most common phrase but there are 625 hits on Google for "leaves more to be desired" (in parentheses, that is, the exact phrase).
    I didn't say that it didn't exist, only that I had never heard it.

    It's almost certain that there are plenty of set phrases in the English language that I happen never to have heard. This may be one of them. Or google may be finding 625 articles where illiterate people have mangled the same phrase in the same way.
    Well, if you look at the references, they do not appear to be posted by illiterate people
    Well, I don't know what to say. I want to say thanks to the Academy, to Mama, to Papa and to my dog. I love you all.

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