They mailed it in

The phrase "they mailed it in" is a common idiomatic expression that means to do something half-heartedly or without much effort, often resulting in a lackluster or unimpressive outcome.

The phrase is thought to have originated from the idea of sending a letter or package through the mail without much care or attention, essentially "phoning it in" or going through the motions. In a similar way, when someone "mails it in," they're not putting in much effort or enthusiasm, and the result is often subpar.

This phrase is often used to describe situations where someone is not taking something seriously, is not putting in the necessary time or effort, or is simply going through the motions. For example:

• "The company's new product launch was a disaster. It seemed like they mailed it in and didn't even try to innovate."
• "I was expecting a lot more from the new employee, but it seems like they're just mailing it in and not putting in any real effort."
• "The movie was a total snooze-fest. It was like the writers mailed it in and didn't even try to create an interesting plot."

Overall, "mailing it in" is a phrase that implies a lack of enthusiasm, effort, or dedication, and is often used to express disappointment or frustration with a particular outcome.