A mixed bag is a mix of good and not so good. The festival was a mixed bag: the music was great, but the queues and signs let it down. About a set of things or people, it sounds neutral: a mixed bag of old cameras and maps, a bit of everything. Something of a mixed bag softens it: overall, it was uneven.
When would you say a mixed bag?
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be a mixed bag; a mixed bag of things; something of a mixed bag
- The festival was a mixed bag: excellent music, but long queues and poor signs.
- The shop sells a mixed bag of old cameras, maps and handmade notebooks.
- The first week's results were something of a mixed bag.
What changed
First versionThe feedback was a mix bag of praise and practical objections.
RevisionThe feedback was a mixed bag of praise and practical objections.
The -ed in mixed is almost silent before bag, so it's easy to drop: mix bag. But you need the adjective mixed, not the noun mix: a mixed bag. The -ed was put back.
Mixed feelings are your own feelings: I have mixed feelings about the move. A mixed bag describes the uneven event or collection itself. A variety of is a neutral word for range, with no judgement: a variety of dishes.
Your turn
The exhibition had brilliant photographs and several weak sections, so it was ___.
Show the answer
a mixed bag — The exhibition had both strong and weak parts, so it was a mixed bag. A complete success would mean everything worked.
Review a recent event, film or purchase, naming one good point and one bad one.
The workshop was a mixed bag: the demonstrations were clear, but there was little time to try the equipment.
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