do (something) by halves
do (something) by halves
To do something half-heartedly or only partially. You kids need to clean your rooms today, and don't do it by halves—I want every last toy picked up!
See also: by, halves
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- by halves
- not do things by halves
- have half an eye on (someone or something)
- have one eye on (someone or something)
- have one eye/half an eye on something
- keep half an eye on (someone or something)
- never do things by halves
- have half an ear on (someone or something)
- do nothing/not do anything by halves
- not do anything by halves