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Definition

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

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In Context

  • "[A] pedestrian tour of Europe could not be complete without them. Of course that decided me at once to see them, for I never allow myself to do things by halves, or in a slurring, slipshod way."
  • "Rin-Tin-Tin does nothing by halves, for he tracks the murderer himself and kills him."
  • "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog!"
  • "If there was one word to describe her, it was "intense" - so well chosen in her brother Michael's moving eulogy. Nothing, absolutely nothing was done by halves. . . . Her commitment was total."