English Reference
Idiom idiom

mixed bag


Something tending to have both good and bad results or characteristics; something having a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.

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


SIMPLE

The new movie was a mixed bag.

CONTEXTUAL

The vacation was a mixed bag because the hotel was beautiful but the weather was terrible.

COMPLEX

The results of the economic reform were a mixed bag, offering significant growth for some industries while leaving others in a state of decline.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bag of bones

    A skinny, malnourished person or animal.

  2. 02

    bag of tricks

    A set of skills, techniques, items of information, or other resources used to help achieve professional or personal goals.

  3. 03

    brown bag

    A short presentation or seminar on a given subject, especially one given at lunchtime.

  4. 04

    give someone the bag

    To disappoint (someone).

  5. 05

    let the cat out of the bag

    To disclose a secret; to let a secret be known, often inadvertently.

  6. 06

    mix apples and oranges

    To mix or confuse two completely different objects or ideas.

  7. 07

    mix it up

    To compete vigorously, to quarrel, or to fight physically.

  8. 08

    mix up

    To mix or blend thoroughly and completely.

Last updated August 10, 2026