Example: La comida del restaurante dejó mucho que desear hoy.
Definition
"Dejar mucho que desear" is a Spanish expression meaning to be disappointing or unsatisfactory, especially when something fails to meet expectations. For example, saying 'La comida del restaurante dejó mucho que desear' means the restaurant's food was disappointing today.
Translations
to leave much to be desired
veel te wensen overlaten
deixar molt a desitjar
laisser à désirer
zu wünschen übrig lassen
Etymology
The phrase "dejar mucho que desear" literally translates as 'to leave much to be desired.' It comes from the verb 'dejar' meaning 'to leave' or 'to allow,' combined with 'mucho que desear,' implying that something is lacking or insufficient. This idiomatic expression has been used in Spanish to express disappointment or inadequacy for centuries.
Learn to use this expression actively
"Dejar mucho que desear" appears in the Vocaplus list "Spanish - General - Modismos y refranes - (B2) - parte 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to leave much to be desired