Phrase guide

a little from column A, a little from column B

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A combination of two factors or reasons.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

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."