A decent fist of things?

Posted by Henry August 04, 2004In reply to A decent fist of things? posted by Bob on August 04, 2004

What does it mean to make a decent fist of things?

Thanks!

It's unfamiliar in the U.S. I googled it, and all the referneces were from the UK, many from football reportage. Hint of origin in that? The meaning seems clear: to make a worthy effort, to marshal one's resources to maximize the chance of success.

It's certainly familiar in the UK. Its use doesn't occur more often in sport as far as I'm aware. Don't know the origin of the phrase.