limited success
noun phraseUK /ˈlɪm.ɪ.tɪd səkˈses/
US /ˈlɪm.ɪ.t̬ɪd səkˈses/
A small win that is not as big as you hoped.
The bake sale was a limited success because we sold only half the cookies.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A result that works a little but still has problems.
The new reading program had limited success, helping some students but not all.
3. A plan that only partly reaches its goal.
Their plan to clean the park was a limited success because only a few people came.
4. A small amount of praise or achievement in a hard task.
He had limited success learning to juggle, but he could keep two balls in the air.