a little from column A, a little from column B

English

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."

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

a little from column A, a little from column B (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic, informal) A combination of two factors or reasons.
   • 1999, George Stephanopoulos, All Too Human: A Political Education:

     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.

   • 2005, Lou Harry, Eric Pfeffinger, The High-Impact Infidelity Diet:

     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.

Synonyms

• a little from column A and a little from column B
• one from column A, one from column B

See also

• Chinese menu