- An understated way to express approval or praise.
- It means something is quite good, decent, or surprisingly acceptable.
- Often implies it's better than expected.
Explanation
Origin
- Shabby means worn out, in poor condition, or low quality.
- Saying something is not too shabby uses litotes (understatement with a negative) to mean the opposite: it's actually good or respectable.
- Became popular slang in the mid-20th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Pretty solid.
- Nice one. (UK/Aus)
- Decent.
- Alright! (With enthusiastic tone)
- Props for that. (Giving respect/credit)
More Enthusiastic:
- That's awesome!
- Looks fantastic!
- Really impressive!
Milder/More Formal:
- Quite satisfactory.
- Acceptable.
- Well done.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Generally acceptable in casual conversation and most workplaces, unless extreme formality is needed.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might focus on shabby and mistakenly think it's negative criticism, missing the understatement. Clarify it means good.
Examples
- You fixed the leaky faucet yourself? Not too shabby!
- She got an A on the exam? Not too shabby at all.
- $100 profit in one day? Not too shabby for a side hustle.
Dialogue
Maya: I finally finished decorating the living room. What do you think?
Ben: Wow, it looks great! New couch, new rug... Not too shabby, Maya!
Maya: Thanks! It took ages to choose everything.
Ben: Well, it paid off. Looks really cozy.
Social Media Examples
- Just finished my first 5k run! Time wasn't amazing, but not too shabby for a first attempt! #running #fitness
- Check out the cake I baked! 🎂 Not too shabby if I say so myself. #baking #amateurbaker
- Post showing a renovated room: DIY project complete! Not too shabby. 😉
Response Patterns
- Thanks!
- Yeah, I'm happy with how it turned out.
- Not bad, eh?
- I know, right?
- A modest shrug or smile.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- After Thanks!: The original speaker might add another compliment (You did a really good job!) or ask a related question (Was it hard to do?).
- After Not bad, eh?: The original speaker usually agrees (Definitely not! or Yeah, really good!).
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually a response to seeing, hearing about, or experiencing something.
Intonation
- Usually said with a slightly impressed, approving, or pleasantly surprised tone.
- Stress often falls on TOO and SHABBY.
- Can have a slight upward inflection at the end. Not TOO SHABBY?
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across many generations, perhaps slightly more common from Gen X upwards, but still used by younger people.
Regional Variations
- Common in most major English-speaking regions (US, UK, Australia, Canada).