Thread: a phrase

How to say

что-то "оставляет желать лучшего"

in English??

Thanks everyone!

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

leaves something to be desired
Sarcasm.

Tehre is no sarcasm in the Russian equivalent.

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

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."

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.

Я прощу прощения за вмешательство, а что такое

something is still found wanted?

Это не из той же серии?

Спасибо.

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.

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).

Originally Posted by charlestonian

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.

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.

Is Leaves much to be desired ok?

Originally Posted by Ramil

Is Leaves much to be desired ok?

It's OK too, methink...

Originally Posted by Ramil

Is Leaves much to be desired ok?

Yes, I've heard that plenty of times.

Originally Posted by scotcher

Originally Posted by charlestonian

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