English Reference
Idiom idiom

good enough for jazz


Good enough.

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


SIMPLE

It is not perfect, but it is good enough for jazz.

CONTEXTUAL

The repair on the fence looks a bit messy, but it is good enough for jazz.

COMPLEX

While the final report lacked the polish he originally intended, he decided it was good enough for jazz and submitted it before the deadline.


Originating in the vocabulary of musicians, the phrase traditionally served as a professional dismissal when an instrument was found to be imperfectly tuned. It suggested that a lack of precision, while perhaps disqualifying in other contexts, would be absorbed into the performance without consequence.


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

    all that jazz

    Synonym of all that.

  4. 04

    bill of goods

    A set of misleading or deceptive claims.

  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