tant bien que mal

fr
en
Change language
Translating...
as best one can, with difficulty
Find language
العربية الفصحى
Arabic (Standard)
Deutsch
German
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Italiano
Italian
/tɑ̃ bjɛ̃ kə mal/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
With difficulty and an imperfect result, but enough to get by.
Practice using tant bien que mal in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • J’ai expliqué le problème tant bien que mal avec les mots que je connaissais.
    I explained the problem as best I could with the words I knew.
  • Ils se sont installés tant bien que mal dans la petite chambre.
    They settled into the small room as best they could.
  • Le vieux moteur fonctionne encore tant bien que mal.
    The old engine still works after a fashion.
  • Nous avons réparé la porte tant bien que mal.
    We repaired the door as best we could.
  • Elle a fini son discours tant bien que mal malgré le bruit.
    She finished her speech with difficulty despite the noise.

Similar words

vaille que vaille
comme on peut
avec peine

Meanings

Getting by imperfectly

everyday
neutral
Doing or managing something despite difficulty, often with a makeshift result.

Examples

  • Nous avons réparé la porte tant bien que mal.
    We repaired the door as best we could.
  • Elle a fini son discours tant bien que mal malgré le bruit.
    She finished her speech with difficulty despite the noise.
  • Le vieux moteur fonctionne encore tant bien que mal.
    The old engine still works after a fashion.
  • Ils se sont installés tant bien que mal dans la petite chambre.
    They settled into the small room as best they could.
  • J’ai expliqué le problème tant bien que mal avec les mots que je connaissais.
    I explained the problem as best I could with the words I knew.

Similar words

comme on peut
avec peine
vaille que vaille

Etymology

The fixed phrase sets bien, “well”, against mal, “badly”, to show an uneven effort or result.

FAQ

What does tant bien que mal mean?

It means “as best one can” or “with difficulty”.

Does tant bien que mal imply a perfect result?

No, the result is often makeshift or incomplete.

Can tant bien que mal describe a repair?

Yes, a repair may work only roughly.

Is tant bien que mal invariable?

Yes, the expression does not change form.

What is a close alternative to tant bien que mal?

Comme on peut conveys managing as best one can.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...