mixed bag

noun

1

: a miscellaneous collection : assortment

2

: one having both positive and negative qualities or aspects

his performance was a mixed bag

Synonyms

• agglomerate
• agglomeration
• alphabet soup
• assortment
• botch
• clutter
• collage
• crazy quilt
• farrago
• gallimaufry
• grab bag
• gumbo
• hash
• hodgepodge
• hotchpotch
• jambalaya
• jumble
• jungle
• litter
• macédoine
• medley
• mélange
• menagerie
• miscellanea
• miscellany
• mishmash
• montage
• motley
• muddle
• olio
• olla podrida
• omnium-gatherum
• pastiche
• patchwork
• patchwork quilt
• potpourri
• ragbag
• ragout
• rummage
• salad
• salmagundi
• scramble
• shuffle
• smorgasbord
• stew
• tumble
• variety
• welter

Example Sentences

His performance was a mixed bag.

a mixed bag of professional astronomers and amateur enthusiasts attended the conference

Recent Examples on the Web

The soloists, who also sang in the chorus, were a mixed bag. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 1 May 2023

That was during a season in which Milwaukee struggled mightily against left-handed starting pitching; through three games this year, the results have been more of a mixed bag. —Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2023

And in fact, every year is a bit of a mixed bag. —Kate Tuttle, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2023

In truth it’s been a mixed bag. —WIRED, 22 Nov. 2022

Through 15 games, Carroll’s season has been a mixed bag. —Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2023

Poll results are always a mixed bag. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 7 Feb. 2023

His chapter on the topic, however, is a mixed bag. —Amy Brady, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2022

Plus has been something of a mixed bag. —Jacob Siegal, BGR, 17 Aug. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1