What Does "Good Enough for Government Work" Mean?
"Good enough for government work" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to describe something that meets the minimum acceptable standard, often with a hint of mediocrity.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "good enough for government work" used in a sentence:- His effort on the project was good enough for government work, but it lacked the innovation they were hoping for.
- The repairs on the old car were good enough for government work; it would at least get them to their destination.
- They completed the assignment with an attitude of 'good enough for government work,' as they were pressed for time.

What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Good Enough for Government Work" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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