What is meaning of "a long way from being"?

Question

Question: Is it bad?
  Answer: "I've suggestions but this is a long way from being bad"

What does this a long way from being mean? Does it mean "much more than just bad" or does it mean "not bad at all"?

RiMMER · Accepted Answer

Firstly, I am not sure whether I have suggestions can be shortened to I've suggestions, it sounds awkward, I've never heard such a statement. If you want it shortened, it'd maybe be a good idea to write it as I've got a few suggestions.

Long way from being bad means it's not bad (yet): this situation would need to get a lot worse to become bad.

The answer in your quote says that the situation is still OK.

Unreason · Answer

This is in a sense of a long way from becoming, which means not at all.

James Waldby - jwpat7 · Answer

Although one needs more context to answer with assurance, I can imagine the conversation going like this:

Alice says: "Here's what I plan to do."

Alice outlines a plan, then asks:  "Is it bad?"

Barb says: "I have some suggestions, but it's a long way from being bad."

Clearly, the meaning of Barb's reply is neither "it's worse than bad" nor "not bad at all", but somewhere in between.

"It's a long way from being bad" appears to be analogous to  "It sure fails to suck" or to "No way is that plan a total fail!"

Lambie · Answer

to be bad
to be good
to be rich
to be poor
etc. ad nauseum
to be a long way from being bad.
The parse is not "a long way from being"
It's "a long way from being bad"
a long way = not close to
Being bad is not a good thing.
Being rich can be pleasant.
Being pleasant is a long way from being rude.

What is meaning of "a long way from being"?

4 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question