such as it is


such as it is

In the flawed or undesirable form, condition, or state that something currently is in. Unfortunately, due to the huge number of unforeseeable setbacks, this will have to be our final product, such as it is. Our meal, such as it was, consisted of a bit of rice, bread, and potatoes. These are the participants, such as they are. We didn't get too many responses to our advertisement.See also: such

such as it is

Cliché in the imperfect state that one sees it; in the less-than-perfect condition in which one sees it. This is where I live. This is my glorious home—such as it is. I've worked for days on this report, and I've done the best that I can do. It's my supreme effort—such as it is.See also: such

such as it is

In the form that it has, which is not very good but all that's available, as in Of course you can stay for supper, such as it is. This expression is generally used apologetically, indicating that the item in question isn't very good or worth much. [Late 1300s] See also: such

ˌsuch as it ˈis

used to say that there is not much of something or that it is of poor quality: You’re welcome to join us for lunch, such as it is — we’re only having soup and bread.See also: such

such as it is

An apologetic disclaimer for something. In effect this phrase says that the item in question is not very good but is the best or only one available. Used since the 1300s, it probably originated as a translation of the Latin talis qualis, for “as is”—that is, unsorted, with flaws and the like. Abbreviated to tal qual, it was adopted in English for “as is” merchandise. The cliché, however, was used in far more general fashion, as in Shakespeare’s Richard II (2.3): “I tender you my service, such as it is, being tender, raw, and young.”See also: such