By halves Meaning in English
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈhævz
BY HAVZ
bˈaɪ/ /hˈɑːvz
BY HAAVZ
Definición
If you do something 'by halves', you do it without putting in your full effort or you complete it only partially.
Uso & Matices
This is a somewhat formal or literary expression, often used in negative constructions ('never do things by halves'). It implies lack of effort or thoroughness. Not common in everyday speech, but sometimes used for emphasis.
Spanish: a medias - a medio hacerPortuguese (BR): pela metade - de forma incompletaPortuguese (PT): pela metade - de forma incompletaChinese (Simplified): 半途而废 - 马马虎虎Chinese (Traditional): 半途而廢 - 馬馬虎虎Hindi: आधा-अधूराArabic: بنصف قلب - بنصف الجهدBengali: অসম্পূর্ণভাবে - আধা-আধা ভাবেRussian: вполовину - спустя рукаваJapanese: 中途半端に - いいかげんにVietnamese: nửa vờiKorean: 어설프게 - 대충Turkish: yarım yamalakUrdu: آدھا ادھورا - نیم دل سےIndonesian: setengah-setengah - tidak sepenuh hati
Oraciones de Ejemplo
She never does anything by halves.
basic
Don’t study by halves if you want to pass the test.
basic
His efforts were only by halves, so he didn’t succeed.
basic
They started the project full of energy, but ended up doing it by halves.
natural
You can’t expect great results if you always do things by halves.
natural
I’m not the type to do a job by halves—it’s all or nothing for me.
natural