just as well

English

Adverb

just as well (not comparable)

1. Used to say that an occurrence, or situation, is not only fortunate, but that on the contrary, it could have been a lot worse; or that something that might at first seem bad is actually good because it could have been worse.
   • 2007, Nov 30, Tomas Alex Tizon, in The LA Times, America's taxi capital: Bethel, Alaska.

     There are 16 female cabdrivers in town, most of them Koreans with limited English skills. Which is just as well, says Alla Tinker, because they don't want to understand much of what their male customers say.

   • 1986, Frank E. Peretti, This Present Darkness, p.31

     Marshall stepped away from the conversation, and it was just as well. It could only have gotten hotter from that point

   • 1989, Mike Resnick, Balance:

     Brilliant mind, thought Geller. Absolutely brilliant. It's probably just as well. Imagine a countenance like that without a mind to offset it.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see just,‎ as well,‎ as,‎ well.

Usage notes

• This expression is usually used with be.