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# could do better

verb phrase (could do better)

«could do better» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, school report) not working as hard as possible; the work is not good enough.
2. (literal) be able to do better.

### In the lessons

A famous, short teacher's phrase in British school reports; polite but clear criticism; also used jokingly about adults, governments and teams. UK mainly.

### Examples

- Report: «Maths: could do better.»
- The football team could do better in defence.
- The newspaper's verdict on the government: could do better.
- My report said «could do better» in every subject!
- «Could do better,» said the chef, tasting the soup.
- You could do better if you checked your answers.

### Note

It means «not good enough, try harder». It sounds mild but it is a telling-off.