badly off for

phrase

British
: strongly in need of (something or someone)
It may seem pie in the sky in the current financial climate, but few could argue that for a city of its size and prestige, Edinburgh is badly off for large-scale sports facilities.The Evening News (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Word History

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of badly off for was in 1758

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Cite this Entry

“Badly off for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/badly%20off%20for. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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