How to Pronounce "by halves"
expression
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈhævz
BY HAVZ
bˈaɪ/ /hˈɑːvz
BY HAAVZ
Definition
If you do something 'by halves', you do it without putting in your full effort or you complete it only partially.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈhævz
British English
bˈaɪ/ /hˈɑːvz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BY HAVZ
UK
BY HAAVZ
Listen in Context
She never does anything by halves.
Don’t study by halves if you want to pass the test.
His efforts were only by halves, so he didn’t succeed.
They started the project full of energy, but ended up doing it by halves.