do by halves
To perform (a task, etc) partially or incompletely; to do (something) inadequately, halfheartedly, or shoddily.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you do a job, do not do it by halves.”
“She is a perfectionist who never does anything by halves, so the project was finished perfectly.”
“He approached his new responsibilities with such intensity that it was clear he was not a man to do things by halves.”
- 01
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
- 02
baker's half dozen
Seven, a group of seven.
- 03
go halves
To divide equally between two parties.
- 04
half a brain
A very basic or minimal level of intelligence.
- 05
half a head
Synonym of half a brain.
- 06
half a mind
A moderate inclination.
- 07
half joke
A statement which contains elements of both jest and seriousness.
- 08
half murder
The committing of a grievous, but not fatal, injury.
Last updated August 10, 2026