No good vs Not good

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello everybody,

There is a question I have always wanted to ask: What is the difference between no good and not good?
Thanks in advance

2

Hi Minor Thing,

‘Not good’ simply means ‘bad’ as ‘not easy’ means ‘difficult’. ‘No good’ is used in expressions like these: ‘It is no good complaining’, ‘It is no good trying to win’ in other words it is a waste of time/there is no point in complaining/trying to win.

Alan

3

Hi Alan,

So ‘no good’ is more or less part of an idiom and ‘not good’ is simply the opposite of ‘good’. Is that right?

4

Yeah, I think “no good” means helpless, useless

5

Hi,

Yes, that’s right. If for example you give someone a problem and ask them to find a solution. After a short time the other person could say: I give up. It’s no good I can’t help you, I’m afraid.

Alan