mean well

mean well
mean well
to intend to be nice, polite, helpful, etc., but fail in the effort. •

I know you mean well, but your comments are sort of insulting.

* * *
{v. phr.} To have good intentions. * /Fred generally means well, but he has a tendency to be tactless./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • mean well — To have good intentions • • • Main Entry: ↑well * * * mean well phrase to intend something good, kind, or suitable, even though there is a bad result I know she can be annoying but she means well. Thesaurus: to intend to do somethingsynonym …   Useful english dictionary

  • mean well — {v. phr.} To have good intentions. * /Fred generally means well, but he has a tendency to be tactless./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • mean well — ► mean well have good intentions, but not always carry them out. Main Entry: ↑mean …   English terms dictionary

  • mean well — (from Idioms in Speech) to have kindly feelings towards, to have good intentions ... at least he meant well. (A. Cronin) She s very earnest, means well, quite decent, in fact. (A. Cronin) No, the gov nor ain t so bad, poor old chap; and I don t… …   Idioms and examples

  • mean well — have good intentions, but not always carry them out. → mean …   English new terms dictionary

  • mean\ well — v. phr. To have good intentions. Fred generally means well, but he has a tendency to be tactless …   Словарь американских идиом

  • mean well — wants to help, has good intentions    Kay is a gossip, but she means well. She tries to be a friend …   English idioms

  • mean well — to intend to be helpful. He s a good person, and I know he means well …   New idioms dictionary

  • mean well — to intend something good, kind, or suitable, even though there is a bad result I know she can be annoying but she means well …   English dictionary

  • mean well — have good intentions …   English contemporary dictionary

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