The phrase “by halves” is commonly used in the English language to express the idea of not doing something completely or thoroughly. It is a phrase that can be used in various contexts and can have different meanings depending on the situation. In this article, we will explore the definitions, origins, meanings, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of “by halves.”
Definitions
The phrase “by halves” means to do something incompletely or partially. It can also imply that someone is not putting in their full effort or is being lazy. It can also be used to describe someone who is not fully committed to something.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “by halves” is not clear, but it is believed to have originated in the 17th century. It is thought to have been derived from the idea of dividing something into two equal parts, hence doing something halfway or partially.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “by halves” means to do something incompletely or partially. Merriam-Webster defines it as doing something halfway or incompletely. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as not doing something completely or thoroughly.
Associations
The phrase “by halves” is often associated with laziness, lack of commitment, and a lack of effort. It can also be associated with being indecisive or unsure.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “by halves” include incompletely, partially, halfway, inadequately, insufficiently, and negligently.
Antonyms
Antonyms of “by halves” include completely, thoroughly, entirely, wholly, and fully.
The same root words
The phrase “by halves” does not have any root words.
Example Sentences
- “He only did the job by halves, and it was not up to our expectations.”
- “She approached the task by halves and did not put in her full effort.”
- “I don’t like doing things by halves. I prefer to give my all.”
- “If you want to succeed, you can’t do things by halves.”
- “He tackled the project by halves and ended up with a mediocre result.”