deixar a desejar

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, “to leave (someone) desiring”.

Verb

deixar a desejar (first-person singular present deixo a desejar, first-person singular preterite deixei a desejar, past participle deixado a desejar)

1. (idiomatic) to leave much to be desired, to be underwhelming; to be worse than expected; not to live up to expectations

   O filme deixou a desejar.

   The film was worse than expected.