🍀 Well and Good: When ‘Good’ Isn’t Quite Good Enough 🍀
“Well and good” - All right, but something else may be better yet. This expression has been around since the late seventeenth century. Robert S. Surtees used it in Handley Cross (1854): “If you . . . can find anything out about them, you know, well and good.”
Synonyms:
- All right, but…
- Fine and dandy
- That’s okay, but…
- Sufficiently satisfactory
Antonyms:
- Not good at all
- Unacceptable
- Unfortunately bad
- Quite unsatisfactory
Quotes to Ponder:
“Well and good if you did the thing; now let’s talk about doing it better.” – Fictional Motivational Speaker
“Well and good are mediocre when exceptional is the standard.” – Plaintiff Quote-thropist
Fun Expressions:
- “A-okay, if you’re aiming low.”
- “Tickety-boo, but room for improvement.”
Proverbs:
- All is well that ends well. - Sometimes, even if it’s not ‘well and good’ at first, the ending matters most.
- Good is the enemy of great. - Settling for “well and good” might just stop you from achieving greatness.
Read, Watch, Listen, and Explore!
- Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig – Explore the quest for quality and what is better than “well and good”.
- Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness – Witness how “well and good” isn’t good enough when you’re aiming for happiness.
- Song: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey – Because sometimes “well and good” is just a pitstop on the road to greatness.
- Poem: If by Rudyard Kipling – When “well and good” is just not satisfactory enough for the visions of heroism.
- Feature Article: The Paradox of Choice – Barry Schwartz explores why “well and good” just doesn’t cut it in a world of endless options.
### Which phrase means you're content but might be missing out on something better?
- [x] Well and good
- [ ] Off the hook
- [ ] Pushing the envelope
- [ ] Quick and dirty
> **Explanation:** "Well and good" implies acceptance with a hint that something else might be superior.
### What is a fitting antonym for 'well and good'?
- [x] Not good at all
- [ ] Fantastic
- [ ] Priority numero uno
- [ ] Golden opportunity
> **Explanation:** "Not good at all" is the clearer opposite, indicating a significant discontent.
### True or False: "Well and good" suggests final, perfect satisfaction.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Well and good" implies it's passable or acceptable, but potentially not the best option.
### Which phrase carries the similar connotation of 'okay, could be better'?
- [x] Fine and dandy
- [ ] Better late than never
- [ ] Time and tide wait for none
- [ ] Burn the midnight oil
> **Explanation:** "Fine and dandy" provides a similar vibe of basic acceptability.
### Finish the idiom: "All is well that ends ____."
- [ ] fun
- [ ] terribly
- [ ] poorly
- [x] well
> **Explanation:** "All is well that ends well" finishes the expression on a positive note emphasizing good endings.
Stay inquisitive, aim beyond ‘well and good’, and journey toward excellence. Expect the best, achieve the extraordinary!
