not half bad

USAGE SUMMARY

"not half bad" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that something is surprisingly good or acceptable. Example: "The movie was not half bad, considering the reviews." Alternative expressions include "quite good" and "better than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And they're not half bad.

The Guardian - Music

The result is not half bad.

The Guardian - Film

As soundbites go, not half bad.

The Guardian

But to my astonishment, the meal was not half bad.

The New York Times - Magazine

Plath refers to herself as "No Elizabeth Taylor, maybe...but tan, tall, blondish, not half bad".

The Economist

They went nicely with the Chardonnay — tangy, oaky, not half bad.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It ain't half bad.

Independent

They weren't half bad.

The Washington Post

But it wasn't half bad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

— Brooks's synthetic equivalent isn't half bad.

The New York Times - Books

From a political perspective, this isn't half bad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not half bad" to express mild approval or surprise when something is better than anticipated. It's suitable for informal settings where a less enthusiastic tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "not half bad" in formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, its casual tone may not be appropriate. Opt for more professional alternatives like "surprisingly good" or "better than expected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not half bad" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a positive assessment. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It indicates that something is better than anticipated, though perhaps not exceptional.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not half bad" is a common adjective phrase used to express that something is better than expected or quite decent. Ludwig AI confirms it follows standard grammar rules. While acceptable in many contexts, it's best suited for neutral and informal settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "surprisingly good" or "better than expected". The phrase's frequent occurrence in news and media highlights its general understandability and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprisingly good

Highlights the unexpected positive quality.

remarkably good

Emphasizes the notable quality.

better than expected

Focuses on exceeding initial expectations.

quite decent

Indicates a reasonable level of quality or acceptability.

fairly good

Suggests a good but not exceptional quality.

passable

Indicates that something is acceptable or satisfactory.

not too shabby

An informal way of saying something is good.

decent enough

Implies adequate quality.

acceptable

Focuses on meeting minimum requirements.

all right

Indicates a basic level of satisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "not half bad" in a sentence?

You can use "not half bad" to express that something is better than you expected, for example: "The food was "not half bad", considering it was airplane food."

What does "not half bad" actually mean?

"Not half bad" is an idiom that means something is surprisingly good or acceptable. It's a way of expressing approval, often with a touch of understatement.

Is "not half bad" formal or informal?

"Not half bad" is generally considered an informal expression. It's more suitable for casual conversations or writing than for formal or professional contexts.

What are some alternatives to "not half bad"?

Some alternatives to "not half bad" include "surprisingly good", "better than expected", or "quite decent". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.