make a poor fist of (something)

make a poor fist of (something)

To do a very poor job of something. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. You and the lads really made a poor fist of painting the house—I want you to do it over again! Everyone seems to agree that the government made a poor fist of bringing high-speed internet to the countryside.

See also: fist, make, of, poor

make a better, good, poor, etc. ˈfist of something

(British English, informal) make a good, bad, etc. attempt to do something: The Irish rugby team are hoping to make a better fist of it than the English did yesterday.

See also: fist, make, of, something