not to my liking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not to my liking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something does not meet your preferences or tastes. Example: "The food at the restaurant was good, but the dessert was not to my liking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It is not to my liking, per se," he said.

The New Yorker

"We got around it, but it was not to my liking".

The New York Times

Prayer for Strength Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land, For this bill or nominee or compromise budget is not to my liking, And I see no personal political advantage in its advancement.

The New Yorker

I was given some of this white wine as a present, but found its vinegary aftertaste not to my liking, so I looked for recipes where I could use it in cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A bluetooth "Wedge Mouse" came in handy, as the touchpad on the keyboard was not to my liking – not least for the inability to turn off the tap-as-mouse-click functionality.

The Guardian - Tech

"Being of an age where I would be entitled to a bus pass (if I were in the UK that is rather than the USA where they do squat for seniors so no bus pass) I have no hesitation about creating a scene with all the young idiots around me if things are not to my liking.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It wasn't to my liking, but then neither are jelly beans.

The New York Times

Oh and who's to blame when the AI's choices not only aren't to my liking but are much worse?

TechCrunch

It wasn't to my liking.

Huffington Post

"The post positions aren't to my liking, but there's nothing I can do about it," Baffert said.

Los Angeles Times

"We have so little privacy that seeing 'us' in the public arena isn't to my liking," she explained.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not to my liking" when expressing a subjective opinion or preference, especially when being polite or diplomatic about something you dislike.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid using "not to my liking" in highly formal or professional documents where a more direct or specific explanation of dissatisfaction would be more appropriate. Instead, clearly state what aspects did not meet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to my liking" functions as a subjective expression of personal preference or taste. It is used to indicate that something does not meet one's expectations or satisfaction. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across various contexts, from food to political matters.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not to my liking" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for conveying a lack of personal preference or satisfaction. Ludwig identifies it as correct and acceptable, though relatively uncommon in overall usage. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves as a polite and neutral way to express disapproval without being overly critical. For more formal situations, consider alternatives that specify the reasons for dissatisfaction. Overall, using "not to my liking" allows for a nuanced expression of personal taste.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not to my taste

Focuses on personal preference regarding sensory experiences or aesthetic judgments.

not my preference

A more direct and neutral way of stating a lack of preference.

not to my satisfaction

Emphasizes that something did not meet expectations or requirements.

doesn't appeal to me

Indicates a lack of attraction or interest in something.

not what I wanted

Highlights a discrepancy between what was desired and what was received.

not my cup of tea

An idiomatic expression indicating something is not to one's personal taste.

I don't care for it

A polite way of expressing dislike or lack of interest.

it's not for me

A simple and direct way to say something isn't suitable for one's preferences or needs.

I'm not keen on it

Indicates a mild dislike or lack of enthusiasm.

it leaves something to be desired

Suggests that something is lacking in quality or appeal.

FAQs

What does "not to my liking" mean?

The phrase "not to my liking" means that something doesn't meet your personal preferences or tastes. It's a polite way to express that you don't particularly enjoy or approve of something.

What can I say instead of "not to my liking"?

You can use alternatives like "not to my taste", "not my preference", or "doesn't appeal to me" depending on the context.

Is "not to my liking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not to my liking" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with several examples from reliable sources.

When is it appropriate to use "not to my liking"?

It's appropriate to use "not to my liking" in situations where you want to express a mild dislike or lack of preference in a polite or indirect way. Avoid using it in formal contexts where more direct and specific language is required.