Some retired commandos ostensibly not up to much (2-2)
I believe the answer is:
so-so
'not up to much' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'some retired commandos ostensibly' is the wordplay.
'retired' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'osos' is hidden in the letters of 'commandos ostensibly'.
'osos' in reverse letter order is 'SO-SO'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for so-so that I've seen before include "just about adequate" , "Barely passable" , "OK, but nothing special" , "'Passable, middling (2-2)'" , "Of average quality" .)