He/His capability is a bubble

[keannu]

On the Bubble
Definition: One of a group that may be selected for the last spot in a competition, rising to stardom.
Example: “The team is on the bubble—there are three other teams that might make the finals.”

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Contrary to the meaning of "on the bubble" here, "거품(bubble)" in Korean can mean "immateriality" or "emptiness" as in "He/His capability is a bubble".
Do you have an idiom to say this kind of incapable state of someone?

 

[Tdol]

This is what it actually means:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_bubble

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd never heard it until today.

 

[Tarheel]

If you were a basketball fan (especially NCAA basketball) you would know that stuff.

Go Tar Heels!

 

[Tdol]

If you were a basketball fan (especially NCAA basketball) you would know that stuff.

No offence, but basketball has always passed me by.

 

[keannu]

If you were a basketball fan (especially NCAA basketball) you would know that stuff.

Go Tar Heels!

What about these? Maybe these are what I'm looking for.

He/His capability is frothy/hollow/nominal.

 

[jutfrank]

What about these? Maybe these are what I'm looking for.

He/His capability isfrothy/hollow/nominal.

No.

I don't think you're going to find a suitable word that completes His capability is ... with the sense you're looking for. The closest I can think of is lacking.

 

[keannu]

No.

I don't think you're going to find a suitable word that completes His capability is ... with the sense you're looking for. The closest I can think of is lacking.

Thanks. Why do you think these don't fit here?

He/His capability is frothy/hollow/nominal.

 

[jutfrank]

Thanks. Why do you think these don't fit here?

He/His capability is frothy/hollow/nominal.

Because they don't say what you mean.

Where did you get those words from? A translator? It's generally a bad idea to try to translate descriptive language from Korean to English. Don't do it.