have both flaws and merits; be a mixed bag
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to have both flaws and merits; to be a mixed bag; to have both strengths and weaknesses
literaryOriginally from literary criticism describing works with both excellence and defects. Used to describe anything that is not entirely perfect but has redeeming qualities. Functions as predicate or attributive in sentences.
Zhè这
bù部
xiǎo小
shuō说
xiá瑕
yú瑜
hù互
jiàn见
，
dàn但
zǒng总
de的
lái来
shuō说
zhí值
dé得
yī一
dú读
。
This novel is a mixed bag, but overall it is worth reading.
Tā他
de的
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
xiá瑕
yú瑜
hù互
jiàn见
，
suī虽
rán然
yǒu有
luó逻
jì辑
lòu漏
dòng洞
，
dàn但
guān观
diǎn点
hěn很
xīn新
yǐng颖
。
His speech had both its flaws and merits; although there were logical loopholes, the viewpoints were quite novel.
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Zhè这
jiàn件
yì艺
shù术
pǐn品
xiá瑕
yú瑜
hù互
jiàn见
，
jì既
yǒu有
jīng精
zhàn湛
de的
gōng工
yì艺
，
yě也
yǒu有
míng明
xiǎn显
de的
xiá瑕
cī疵
。
This artwork is a mixed bag—it features exquisite craftsmanship but also has obvious flaws.