leave much to be desired

English

Verb

leave much to be desired (third-person singular simple present leaves much to be desired, present participle leaving much to be desired, simple past and past participle left much to be desired)

1. Synonym of leave a lot to be desired
   • 2021 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Hungary 0-4 England”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     Southgate's side kept their nerve and discipline in the unsettling, intimidating surroundings of Budapest, with the behaviour of Hungary's fans leaving much to be desired, to turn up the heat and punish their opponents ruthlessly once they had gone ahead.