Dictionary

a little from column A, a little from column B en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Typical "American Chinese" restaurant menus of the mid-twentieth century presented food selections for combination entrees in a table with columns labeled "A" and "B". The customer was then advised, for example, to "Choose one from Column A and one from Column B."

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, informal, uncountable) A combination of two factors or reasons.
   • Clinton would take a little from column A, a little from column B, depending on the day, his mood, and whom he had talked to last. 1999, George Stephanopoulos, All Too Human: A Political Education:
   • Which is how I thought I knew it was going to be either really boring, or about my family, or a little from column A, a little from column B. 2005, Lou Harry, Eric Pfeffinger, The High-Impact Infidelity Diet:

Forms

Relateds

Chinese menu