no better than one ought to be

English

Adjective

no better than one ought to be (not comparable)

1. (dated, euphemistic) Sexually promiscuous.
   • 1848, The American Pulpit, volume 3, page 120:

     There were no whisperings, even from his opponents, that he was no better than he ought to be. Because, there was nothing wrong on which to hang a charge. As an eloquent orator, he carried with him the firm support of a good name.

   • 1867, Caroline Fairfield Corbin, A Woman's Secret, page 162:

     After dinner she went directly to Melissa.
     “Mellie,” she said, “do you know, I've good reason for thinking this woman you've got is no better than she ought to be. Think of that, and you sick, and Abraham exposed to temptation.”

   • 1891, Charles Garvice, Better Than Life, page 290:

     Everybody agreed that though nothing was known concerning Mrs. Markwood, she was no better than she ought to be.

Synonyms

• see Thesaurus:promiscuous

References

• Oxford Living Dictionaries
• Dictionary.com
• The Free Dictionary