(Things) could be better.

(Things) could be better.
(Things) could be better. & (I) could be better. & (Things) might be better.
a response to a greeting meaning “My state is not as good as it might be.” (Not necessarily a direct answer.) •

John: How are things going, Fred? Fred: Things could be better. And you? John: About the same.

Bob: Hi, Bill! How are you? Bill: I could be better. What's new with you? Bob: Nothing much.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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