A for effort 

Nice try, but the final product sucks.

Kid: Mom! Dad! Check out this painting I did in class today!
Mom: It looks wonderful son!
Dad: Sigh, A for effort, I suppose.
Mom: Honey, don't be so hard on him, the painting is decent for his age.
Dad: I was talking about us.

A for effort by kpmandookid June 23, 2011

A for effort 

Not the worst attempt. Perhaps if you invested a little more time and brain work, you would get something that you can actually be proud of instead of this pile of rubbish.

Boy : Hey sweetie, I got you something
Girl : Oh Wow! What did you get me?
Boy : A Brand New Star Wars T-shirt
Girl : *sigh* Oh well. A for Effort.

A for effort by Beewol April 22, 2016