well done

idiom · idiom

4 meanings of well done

1
spoken praiseidiom
Used to praise someone for something they have done well or achieved.
Well done, everyone, that was our best performance of the season.
"Well done," the coach said, patting her on the back after the race.
Similarbravo, congratulations
2
meat (cooking)idiom
Of meat, cooked all the way through to the center.
He sent the steak back because he had asked for it well done.
Ground beef should be served well done to be safe to eat.
Oppositerare, underdone
Note
It is the far end of the doneness scale that runs from rare through medium rare, medium and medium well: no pink is left at the center and the juices run clear. Before a noun it takes a hyphen, a well-done steak; after one, as in ordering it well done, it stays open.
3
of a taskidiom
Performed or carried out skillfully and successfully.
The ceremony ended with thanks to the volunteers for a job well done.
The repairs to the roof were well done and have held up for years.
Oppositebotched, shoddy
Note
Its home is the fixed phrase a job well done, where it follows the noun and stays open, with no hyphen. The phrase works as a verdict on finished work, a project or a match, and it can be hedged as easily as given: part one of a job well done.
4
other foodidiom
Of food in general, cooked thoroughly.
Ask for the hash browns well done if you like them crisp all the way through.
The bread was well done, with a dark crust and a firm crumb.
Oppositeunderdone, undercooked

Practice

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