ENGLISH
REFERENCE

do by halves

idiom
Meaning

To perform (a task, etc) partially or incompletely; to do (something) inadequately, halfheartedly, or shoddily.


Examples
SIMPLE

If you do a job, do not do it by halves.

CONTEXTUAL

She is a perfectionist who never does anything by halves, so the project was finished perfectly.

COMPLEX

He approached his new responsibilities with such intensity that it was clear he was not a man to do things by halves.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all over hell's half acre

    All over the place; everywhere.

  2. 02

    baker's half dozen

    Seven, a group of seven.

  3. 03

    go halves

    To divide equally between two parties.

  4. 04

    half a brain

    A very basic or minimal level of intelligence.

  5. 05

    half a head

    Synonym of half a brain.

  6. 06

    half a mind

    A moderate inclination.

  7. 07

    half joke

    A statement which contains elements of both jest and seriousness.

  8. 08

    half murder

    The committing of a grievous, but not fatal, injury.

Last updated April 17, 2026