English Reference
Idiom idiom

good enough for government work


Synonym of close enough for government work.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The repair is good enough for government work.

CONTEXTUAL

I did not finish the report perfectly, but it is good enough for government work.

COMPLEX

Although the final draft lacked the polish he originally intended, he decided it was good enough for government work and submitted it before the deadline.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    bill of goods

    A set of misleading or deceptive claims.

  4. 04

    busy work

    Work or activity performed with the intention or result of occupying time, and not necessarily to accomplish something productive; routine work of low priority undertaken for the sake of avoiding idleness.

  5. 05

    but good

    To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.

  6. 06

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  7. 07

    close enough for government work

    Adequate; acceptable as government work, imperfect but not worth the time nor effort of improving.

  8. 08

    come from a good place

    To be motivated by decency, kindness, or good intentions.

Last updated August 10, 2026