My progress on the project is only fair to middling.
fair to middling
idiomOnly tolerably good; somewhat favorable.
Origin
first recorded 19th c.From the practice of classifying agricultural commodities as fair or middling. The earliest attested instance of these descriptions being combined into the phrase fair to middling was in a British publication of 1822 but the first instance of this usage being generalised is from an American publication of 1837
When asked how the new restaurant was, he replied that the food was fair to middling.
Although the critics described the performance as merely fair to middling, the audience seemed to enjoy the show well enough.
- 01
fair coin
A sequence of independent Bernoulli trials (a Bernoulli process) with probability 1/2 of success on each trial.
- 02
fair crack of the whip
Let's have an equitable attempt, match, or process. Used as an appeal for reasonableness.
- 03
fair enough
An expression used to concede a point, but suggesting that the broader argument is incorrect.
- 04
fair game
Actions permissible by the rules.
- 05
fair sex
Women collectively.
- 06
fair shake
Reasonable, unbiased treatment; a fair deal.
- 07
fair share
A significant amount, often implied to be excessive or inordinate; a great deal of something.