the better is the enemy of the good
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Synonym of perfect is the enemy of good.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “the better is the enemy of the good” mean?
Synonym of perfect is the enemy of good.
Is “the better is the enemy of the good” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.