do things by halves . do things by halves {v. phr.} To do things in a careless and incomplete way. When he reads a book he always does it by halves; he seldom finishes it. Categories: add yours {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: D Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry