ХОРОШЕЕ ДЕЛО!

• ХОРОШЕНЬКОЕ <ХОРОШЕЕ> ДЕЛО! coll

[NP; these forms only; used as indep. sent or sent adv (parenth); fixed WO]

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⇒ used to express disapproval of or indignation at sth. (usu. in refer, to the preceding statement, which may be repeated after the idiom):

- I like that!;

- a fine thing (state of affairs) (indeed)!;

- isn't that just dandy!

     ♦ "С вас, Шариков, 130 рублей. Потрудитесь внести". - "Хорошенькое дело, - ответил Шариков, испугавшись, - это за что такое?" (Булгаков 11). "Your share is one hundred thirty rubles, Sharikov. Kindly pay up." "A fine thing," Sharikov became alarmed. "What's this for?" (I la).

     ♦ ...Здесь, в палате, даже радио нет, и в коридоре нет, хорошенькое дело! (Солженицын 10). ...Here in the ward there wasn't even a radio, and there wasn't one in the corridor either-а fine state of affairs! (10a).