the half of it
the half of it
A portion of something, typically implied to be the most important or significant part. (Often used in the negative.) Yes, the company is losing money, but that's only the half of it: if we don't show some improved sales soon, the bank will cut our credit line, too! A: "I heard the meeting went pretty poorly." B: "That isn't the half of it. Now the boss wants to do a full review of my employment, so I might even lose my job!"
See also: half, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
half of it
Only part of something, as in You saw them together, but that's just the half of it; she's moved in with him. This phrase, signifying the most important portion (more than half), is often put negatively as not the half of it, as in You thought they played badly? That's not the half of it, because they've been kicked out of the league . [First half of 1900s]
See also: half, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
the half of it
the most important part or aspect of something. informal 1987 George Turner Sea & Summer Mum…would ask, ‘But is this true?’ and Billy…would tell her that wasn't the half of it.
See also: half, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
the ˈhalf of it
only some of the facts of a particular situation, not all of them: The public knows that he’s had an affair with his secretary, but that’s only the half of it. ‘I hear you’ve been having trouble with the new managers.’ ‘You don’t know the half of it, Ray. It’s been an absolute nightmare.’See also: half, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- half of it
- portion out
- portion
- a Benjamin's portion
- Benjamin's mess
- Benjamin's portion
- lion’s share
- lion's share
- lion's share of
- lion's share, the