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# could have gone better

verb phrase (could have gone better)

«could have gone 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

(euphemism, understatement) went badly; was a failure.

### In the lessons

A very common polite understatement used after a bad test, match, meeting or date; British style, but used everywhere. Everyday.

### Examples

- How was the test? — It could have gone better.
- The match could have gone better: we lost eight–nil.
- The first day at work could have gone better.
- Chat: «Date could've gone better, he brought his mum.»
- The presentation could have gone better; the computer crashed.
- The coach admitted the season could have gone better.

### Note

It means «it went badly», often very badly. Do not take it as «almost perfect».