no great shakes
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I know Napoli have been no great shakes in Europe but they still rarely lose at home and that was a statement win for Liam Rosenior, which should silence some of his doubters.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
Its overall handling of mental illness is no great shakes either.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2023
Griff stole their desserts on multiple occasions—swiped from trays with a grin—even if the desserts in question were no great shakes; it was the principle.
From The New Yorker • Mar. 25, 2019
The staging itself was no great shakes, but as usual, Mr. Vickers came on like a force of nature, exuding power even in Samson’s weakened state.
From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2014
That gun was no great shakes when I bought it second-hand fifteen years ago, and it has never got any better.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
![]()