half1 predeterminer, pronoun, adjectivehalf2 nounhalf3 adverb
halfhalf1 /hɑːf $ hæf/ ●●● S1 W1 predeterminer, pronoun, adjective [only before noun] 
Longman Language Activatortoo often, in a way that is annoying
especially spoken to do something many times, in a way that is annoying: · Dad, Bobby keeps hitting me!· How can I explain if you keep on interrupting me?· I keep forgetting to mail this letter.
if someone or something is always doing something, or someone or something does something all the time , it annoys you because they do it too often: · I'm sick of Harold, he's always telling me what to do.· What do you mean you never see me? You're at my house all the time.· I don't know about you, but I'm always having arguments with people!· He was always trying to persuade me to go out drinking with him.
use this when you are very annoyed because something happens repeatedly over a long period of time: · They seemed to be continually arguing.· I wish you'd clean up your room without having to be constantly reminded.
spoken if someone or something is forever doing something, they annoy you by doing it very often over a long period of time: · He never does his homework on time and is forever getting into trouble at school.· We bought a new washing machine. The old one was forever breaking down.
spoken say this when you are describing something annoying or bad that someone does very often: · Half the time the managers don't know what's going on.· I never know where he is - half the time he doesn't return my phone calls.
use this to say that something has been done many times, especially when this is annoying or does not have any effect: · I've told you time and time again not to play with matches - it's dangerous.· I see people making the same mistakes, time and time again.
if something happens with great regularity , it keeps happening, often in an annoying way: · Yes, the bank keep piling these outrageous charges on my bank account with great regularity.· With great regularity, wasps would fly in through the open window and get trapped behind the glass.
if someone talks about something ad nauseam , they talk about it for so long that it becomes very annoying or boring: · We've discussed this ad nauseam, and I don't see the point of going over the same ground again.· He goes on ad nauseam about how much better everything was in the old days.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
half a pound of butter It’s about half a mile down the road. She drank half a bottle of wine. half a million dollars You can’t just waltz in a half hour late. It’s about a half mile down the road. a half day excursion to the island He demanded a half share of the money. It’s only half the size of a normal violin. They offered to pay half the cost of repairs. She seems to be asleep half the time. Getting covered in mud is half the fun. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. The hall was half-empty. Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. They found the body lying half naked in the grass. Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.
half a pound of butter It’s about half a mile down the road. She drank half a bottle of wine. half a million dollars You can’t just waltz in a half hour late. It’s about a half mile down the road. a half day excursion to the island He demanded a half share of the money. It’s only half the size of a normal violin. They offered to pay half the cost of repairs. She seems to be asleep half the time. Getting covered in mud is half the fun. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance.· Only half the citizens vote.
· Half the food was wasted.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. (=not fully awake)· Most of the people on the train were only half awake.
· There’s were only two windows in the bottom half of the building.
(=brother with only one parent the same as yours)· I never really liked my half-brother.
· In the second half of the century, people's wages began to rise.
(=if there is an opportunity to do something)· Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.
(=that someone has not finished smoking)· There was a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
(=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half.
Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. (=not having finished putting your clothes on)· Don’t come in – I’m only half dressed!
The hall was half-empty. (=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.
Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. (=be a very enjoyable part of doing something)· Planning a vacation is half the fun.
(also a half hour) (=thirty minutes)· I’ll meet you in half an hour.
(=an idea that has not been carefully thought out)· It’s yet another of the government’s half-baked ideas.
I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. (=looking like half a circle)· A half moon was up now, pale and cool.
They found the body lying half naked in the grass. (=becomes twice as small)· The number of children failing at school has halved in recent years.
· In 1822 he retired from the army as captain on half pay.
(=correct to some degree, but not completely)· That theory may still be partly right.
(=a sister with only one parent the same as yours)· She doesn't see her half-sister very often.
· Kosovo is about half the size of Wales.
Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. (=break into two pieces) The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece.
The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► half a loaf (is better than none)PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something► somebody sees the glass as half-empty/half-full► go off half cocked► at half-mast► it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other
150% exactly or about 50% (½) of an amount, time, distance, number etchalf of- Allen kept half an eye on the path as he worked.
- Always half an ear, half a mind.
- Anyone with half an eye could see Susan's antagonism towards her.
- He has half an eye on where the gun went.
- He told me this and that, but I listened with only half an ear.
- Of course, no government with half an eye on re-election would ever legalise anything it didn't have to.
- She always had half an eye for him; sometimes I thought she watched him as a tamer does a tiger.
- With only half an ear for Grigoriev's response, Rostov stared across the room.
- And as the Reidys said, finding a family-friendly company is half the battle.
- Media mavens contend that the visual comparison of the two men side by side is half the battle.
- Relishing the state is half the battle towards a good life, for everyone.
- Add bean sprouts and cook another half minute.
- After one and a half minutes the aircraft began to overshoot, correctly making an initial turn to the west.
- I pulled to the curb for half a minute.
- Poole and Bowman studied the screen in silence for half a minute.
- Report repeated two and a half second ticking sounds from plane.
- The fireball is visible for about half a minute before the object exits from the atmosphere with its original speed virtually undiminished.
- The fireball that came with the flash lasted for half a second and enveloped the whole stumbling figure.
- How could you side with them after hearing only half the story?
- But numbers on economic growth that look so wonderful for the emerging world tell only half the story.
- But that was only half the story of what was on General Kent's mind, and Harry would see that immediately.
- But this is only half the story.
- If only half the stories are true, this is some one who attracts trouble.
- Obviously, television has heightened awareness of the sport, but that is only half the story.
- Of course, what Dooley did at the water fountain was only half the story!
- The red notebook, of course, is only half the story, as any sensitive reader will understand.
- I have half a mind to just go home.
- I have half a mind to tell her what I really think of her.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- Half measures will not fix America's health-care problems.
- I suppose I was never contented with half measures.
- Learn your trade fully, do the job properly - no half measures.
- The only alternative to Lloyd George's lies were Asquith's half measures.
- There's no half measures to playing this way.
- At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering several sticks as well.
- At half past three he wanted to die, or to kill somebody.
- At half past two this morning my wife died.
- It was half past three in the morning.
- She arrived at the Herald building at half past three, and walked past the uniformed commissionaire to the lift.
- The return journey was supposed to start at half past three but there would always be a few people missing.
- They'd all been given leaflets about it at half past three.
- About half a dozen women and children had appeared and were standing, holding hands, watching me.
- Customer-driven systems also allow individuals to meet their needs in a holistic way, without applying to half a dozen different programs.
- He found half a dozen fishermen seated under the palm trees at the foot of the Co-operative quay.
- I still do half a dozen or so of these scarlet cross-overs a year, to this day.
- Inside the cafe there were half a dozen other people.
- Perhaps half a dozen were Hispanic, and the rest, black.
- Sunday night he was wild on at least a half dozen.
- As McKinsey laments, given half a chance they revert to old habits.
- Given half a chance, his body was healing, repairing itself.
- If the people are given half a chance there is hope for a return to it's colourful and vibrant past.
- It's the trees they go for, given half a chance.
- It possesses a large number of small but very sharp teeth and can inflict a painful bite if given half a chance.
- That's nothing on how good they could be, given half a chance.
- You had to grow up and get into the lycée to have half a chance with him.
- Sorry, what did you say? I was half asleep.
- Corporal L, the Royal Signals Operator, is half asleep in his chair.
- He never lost his sense of humor, even when he was half asleep.
- Inside, the Porter was half asleep behind a newspaper.
- It was a hot day, and I think I must have been half asleep when I noticed something very strange.
- Most of the time they were half asleep, chatting about the weather.
- She stayed on top of him, half asleep still.
- Sorcerer felt dazed and half asleep, still dreaming wild dawn dreams.
- The old lady nodded, as if half asleep.
- Getting Jeff to listen to me is half the battle.
- Just getting an interview is half the battle.
- And as the Reidys said, finding a family-friendly company is half the battle.
- Media mavens contend that the visual comparison of the two men side by side is half the battle.
- Relishing the state is half the battle towards a good life, for everyone.
- Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half.
- I suppose I was never contented with half measures.
- Learn your trade fully, do the job properly - no half measures.
- The only alternative to Lloyd George's lies were Asquith's half measures.
- There's no half measures to playing this way.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- We got all the furniture for half price.
- At full price the set demands as much.
- First, he has devised a way of buying the ground at less than half price.
- I can't feel that this music as presented here is an attractive proposition at full price.
- If the guest took up the booking, the deposit was part payment of the full price.
- Most men's and women's clothing half price.
- On Sundays from 3 p. m. to 5 p. m., admission is half price.
- They was rubbish, and they was full price.
- Visalia bought a swimming pool at half price because its employees were unencumbered by line item budgets.
- About half the time, I went down with a buddy, half the time alone.
- Alice was thinking: Jim's so big and strong, Philip isn't; together they'd need half the time.
- AutoFix worked about half the time on both computers.
- Drunk and maudlin half the time.
- It's madness your having to live with them half the time.
- Just not in touch with it half the time.
- Poor thing, he could barely keep his eyes open half the time, and now he had this skin condition.
- The new mainframe operating system I have personally approved is going haywire; the computer is down half the time.
Over half of the children live in one-parent families. Only half the guests had arrived by seven o’clock. If you look at our members, at least half are women.half a mile/pound/hour etc half a pound of butter It’s about half a mile down the road. She drank half a bottle of wine. half a million dollarsa half hour/mile etc You can’t just waltz in a half hour late. It’s about a half mile down the road. a half day excursion to the island He demanded a half share of the money.half the price/size/length etc It’s only half the size of a normal violin. They offered to pay half the cost of repairs.2most of the largest part of somethinghalf of We missed half of what he said because someone was talking. She seems to be asleep half the time. Getting covered in mud is half the fun.3time half past one/two/three etc especially British English (also half one/two/three etc British English spoken) 30 minutes after the hour mentioned: I got home at about half past one. I rang at about half six. We’ll be there by seven or half past (=half past seven).4half a dozen a)six: half a dozen eggs b)a small number of people or things: There were half a dozen other people in front of me.5half a/the chance a small opportunity to do something, especially one which someone would take eagerly: I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance.6half an eye/ear if you have half an eye on something, or if you are listening with half an ear, you are giving only part of your attention to it: He listened with only half an ear and his thoughts wandered. The teacher kept half an eye on them all through the lesson.7be half the battle spoken used to say that when you have done the most difficult part of an activity, the rest is easy: Getting the audience to like you is half the battle.8half a minute/moment/second etc spoken a very short time: Hold on, this will only take half a second.9only half the story an explanation that is not complete, used especially to say that someone is trying to keep something secret: Journalists are convinced that she was only telling them half the story.10have half a mind to do something spoken used to say that you would like to do something but you probably will not do it: He had half a mind to ask for his money back. I have half a mind to tell your mother about this.11half measures actions or methods that are not strong enough, and so are not effective in dealing with a difficult problem: This is no time for half measures.12half a loaf (is better than none) something that is less than what you wanted or asked for, but that you might accept because it is better than nothingGRAMMARNumbers with half• You say one and a half, two and a half etc: · She is two and a half. ✗Don’t say: one and half | two and half• The phrases one and a half, two and a half etc are followed by a plural noun: · We were there for one and a half days. ✗Don’t say: We were there for one and a half day.Singular or plural verb?• You can use half (of) with a plural noun and a plural verb: · Only half the citizens vote.• You can use half (of) with an uncountable noun and a singular verb: · Half the food was wasted.Word orderYou say half (of) the: · I’ve only read half the story. ✗Don’t say: I’ve only read the half story.half1 predeterminer, pronoun, adjectivehalf2 nounhalf3 adverb
halfhalf2 ●●● S1 W2 noun (plural halves /hɑːvz $ hævz/) [countable] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- After an hour and a half, you too may find yourself chanting, Save us Jackie, save us.
- Especially since I said to David about a week and a half ago and then.
- It was even Steven in the second half, but towards the end Gloucester roared into life.
- Slice loin and place on other half of plate; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with basil.
- The home side went ahead through Thierry Henry in the first half and Nwankwo Kanu in the second.
- The referee added seven minutes of injury time in a stop-start first half.
Longman Language Activatorto break something into two pieces
to break something into two, fairly equal pieces: · The explosion broke the ship in two.· David broke the chocolate bar in half and gave a piece to Sue.
to break something, usually a long thin object, so that it makes a sudden, short loud noise: · He hit a rock and snapped the truck's axle.· High winds snapped power lines in the city, leaving more than 9000 people without power.snap something in two/in half: · He accidentally snapped his putter in half during one tournament.snap off: · The tip of the tree snapped off when it fell.
to break something such as wood into two parts along a straight line: · She learned to split logs and stack a woodpile.split something in two/in half: · Split the leek in half lengthwise, and cut it into 1/4-inch pieces.
WORD SETSabsinth, nounalcohol, nounale, nounalehouse, nounaperitif, nounbaby milk, nounbar, nounbarfly, nounbarhop, verbbarkeeper, nounbarley wine, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeef tea, nounbeer, nounbenedictine, nounbeverage, nounbibulous, adjectivebistro, nounbitter, nounblack, adjectivebootleg, verbbooze, nounboozer, nounbooze-up, nounboozing, nounboozy, adjectivebottle, verbbouquet, nounbourbon, nounbrandy, nounbreathe, verbbrew, verbbrew, nounbrewer, nounbrewery, nounbroach, verbBuck's Fizz, nounburgundy, nounbuttermilk, nouncamomile, nouncappuccino, nouncarbonated, adjectivecask, nouncellar, nounchalice, nounchampagne, nounchampers, nounchar, nounchartreuse, nounchaser, nounChelsea bun, nounchocolate, nouncider, nounclaret, nounclub soda, nouncoaster, nounCoca-Cola, cocktail, nouncocktail lounge, nouncocktail shaker, nouncocktail stick, nouncocktail waitress, nouncocoa, nouncoffee, nouncoffee bar, nouncoffee bean, nouncoffee machine, nouncoffeemaker, nouncoffee mill, nouncognac, nouncola, nounconsommé, nouncordial, nouncork, nouncork, verbcorkage, nouncorked, adjectivecorkscrew, nouncorn whiskey, nouncrème de menthe, nouncup, nouncuppa, nouncuraçao, noundaiquiri, noundecaf, noundecaffeinated, adjectivedecanter, noundessert wine, noundipsomaniac, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundissolute, adjectivedistiller, noundistillery, noundram, noundraught, noundregs, noundried milk, noundrink, verbdrink, noundrinkable, adjectivedrinking fountain, noundrinking-up time, noundrinking water, noundrinks machine, noundrinks party, noundrop, noundry, adjectiveDutch courage, nounespresso, nounethyl alcohol, nounferment, verbfinger, nounfizz, nounflat, adjectivefloat, nounfortified wine, nounfroth, nounfroth, verbfrothy, adjectivefull-cream, adjectiveGandT, noungassy, adjectivegin, noungin and tonic, nounginger ale, nounginger beer, nounglass, noungreen tea, noungrenadine, noungrog, noungumbo, nounhalf, nounhalf-and-half, nounhangover, nounhappy hour, nounhead, nounhighball, nounhip flask, nounhock, nounhogshead, nounhome brew, nounhooch, nounhot chocolate, nounice bucket, nounice cube, nounice water, nouninfuse, verbinfusion, nounintoxicant, nounintoxicating, adjectiveIrish coffee, nounjar, nounjigger, nounjuice, nounkeg, nounkirsch, nounlace, verblager, nounlandlord, nounlemon, nounlemonade, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlight, adjectivelight ale, nounlimeade, nounliqueur, nounliquor, nounlite, adjectivelocal, nounlounge bar, nounMadeira, nounmagnum, nounmalt, nounmalted, nounmalt liquor, nounmaraschino, nounmargarita, nounMartini, nounmash, nounmature, adjectivemature, verbmead, nounmeasure, nounmellow, verbmilk, nounmilk shake, nounmilky, adjectivemineral water, nounmint julep, nounmix, verbmixer, nounmocha, nounmoonshine, nounmulled wine, nounneat, adjectivenectar, nounnightcap, nounnip, nounnoggin, nounnon-alcoholic, adjectiveoff-licence, nounopen bar, nounorangeade, nounouzo, nounpale ale, nounparalytic, adjectivepasteurized, adjectivepercolate, verbperk, verbperry, nounpick-me-up, nounpiña colada, nounpink gin, nounpint, nounplonk, nounpop, nounport, nounporter, nounprohibitionist, nounproof, nounpunch, nounquaff, verbrake, nounrat-arsed, adjectivered, nounrefill, nounrefreshment, nounretsina, nounring-pull, nounroot beer, nounrosé, nounrotgut, nounrum, nounrye, nounsake, nounsaloon, nounsangria, nounsarsaparilla, nounschnapps, nounScotch, nounscrewdriver, nounscrumpy, nounsediment, nounsemi-skimmed milk, nounshake, nounshaker, nounshandy, nounshebeen, nounsherry, nounshort, nounshot, nounsiphon, nounsix-pack, nounskimmed milk, nounslimline, adjectivesloe gin, nounslug, nounslush, nounsnifter, nounsoda, nounsoda siphon, nounsoda water, nounsoft drink, nounsparkling, adjectivespeakeasy, nounspike, verbspirit, nounsplash, nounspritzer, nounsquash, nounstein, nounstewed, adjectivestill, adjectivestill, nounstout, nounstraight, adjectivestraw, nounsundowner, nounsup, verbswig, verbswill, verbswizzle stick, nountab, nountable wine, nountall, adjectivetankard, nountavern, nountea, nounteabag, nounteahouse, nountea leaves, nountearoom, nountea shop, nountea urn, nountemperance, nountequila, nountied house, nountippler, nountoddy, nountonic, nountop-up, nountot, nounTurkish coffee, nountwo-percent milk, nounUHT milk, noununcork, verbvermouth, nounvintage, adjectivevintage, nounvintner, nounvodka, nounwater, verbwatering hole, nounweak, adjectivewet bar, nounwhisky, nounwhite, adjectivewine cooler, nounwrecked, adjectiveyeast, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. The hall was half-empty. Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. They found the body lying half naked in the grass. Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
· Divide the dough in half.
(=make something 50% smaller or 50% less)· The company has reduced the number of staff by half.
(=become 50% less)· Share prices fell by half.
(=become 50% more)· The number of passengers using the service has increased by half.
adjectives· He graduated in the top half of his law school class.
· The upper half of the door contained a stained glass window.
· The northern half of the city is generally poorer.
· Profits doubled in the first half of the year.
· Half the patients were given the drug and the other half were given a sugar pill.
· He struggled with ill health in the latter half of his life.
phrases· ‘How old is she?’ ‘Five and a half.’
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. (=not fully awake)· Most of the people on the train were only half awake.
· There’s were only two windows in the bottom half of the building.
(=brother with only one parent the same as yours)· I never really liked my half-brother.
· In the second half of the century, people's wages began to rise.
(=if there is an opportunity to do something)· Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.
(=that someone has not finished smoking)· There was a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
(=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half.
Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. (=not having finished putting your clothes on)· Don’t come in – I’m only half dressed!
The hall was half-empty. (=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.
Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. (=be a very enjoyable part of doing something)· Planning a vacation is half the fun.
(also a half hour) (=thirty minutes)· I’ll meet you in half an hour.
(=an idea that has not been carefully thought out)· It’s yet another of the government’s half-baked ideas.
I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. (=looking like half a circle)· A half moon was up now, pale and cool.
They found the body lying half naked in the grass. (=becomes twice as small)· The number of children failing at school has halved in recent years.
· In 1822 he retired from the army as captain on half pay.
(=correct to some degree, but not completely)· That theory may still be partly right.
(=a sister with only one parent the same as yours)· She doesn't see her half-sister very often.
· Kosovo is about half the size of Wales.
Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. (=break into two pieces) The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece.
The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.· The bottom half of the building was towers, balconies and metal grilles, and the top half was very Hemish merchant.· Place each burger on the bottom half of focaccia.· Two large areas were marked in red, both in the bottom half of the map.· The bottom half is a counterpoint to the showy fecundity of the top.· He pushed the bottom half of the window upwards and swung one leg over the sill.· But now, in the bottom half, our animal brotherhood is forgotten.· Spread the bottom half with the cooled apple filling and cover with the top half of the cake.· Cleveland had runners at first and third with no one out in the bottom half of the inning.
· The eastern half was a warehouse, a storey higher than the mill and built later, around 1890.· The most southerly of the three enclosures had also been subdivided, although little of its eastern half lay within the trench.· Through such Promethean effort, the eastern half of the continent was radically made over, for better or worse.· In both Norfolk and Suffolk the eastern and western halves of the county are noticeably different.· After her experience in Managua, Kegl wondered whether deaf people in the remote eastern half of the country had a language.· Carrillo controls the eastern half of the 2, 000-mile border, the Arellanos the western half.
· Jamila was fast asleep with a sheet over her lower half.· Cybil was twisting Paw-paw so that the lower half of the body was doing the hula.· Plastic pins simply pushed in to secure the lower half of the handle to the body of the mower.· He sees a team that finished in the lower half of the National League in hitting, pitching and fielding.· The third type seem to be solid, and are largely confined to the lower half of the main cloud.· Here the monk was fumbling with the appalled geisha and tearing at the lower half of her kimono.· A big brown beard covered the lower half of his thin, pale, serious face.· Glover felt how the entire lower half of himself was beginning to go numb.
· Poor in the estuaries in the northern half of Morecambe Bay and not much prospect of improvement.· Many walkers, particularly Brits, prefer to start in the south, reaching the more spectacular northern half when acclimatised.
· Don't take your other half for granted.· An hour later they used the same tactics to gain entry to the other half of the camp.· The other half of his ambition has never been in doubt.· I took the other half, inspecting it in a similar manner.· Half of the record aspired towards the cacophony of grinding rock and the other half was still emphasising their pop flair.· Half of her wants to be a fella, and the other half's a frustrated old maid.· The bank then served a bankruptcy petition on A for the other half.· Half your army wants to hang back and shoot, the other half wants to get stuck in as quickly as possible.
· The first section to be built was the southern half.· Within months, land prices in the southern half of the county tripled.· The United States has 37,000 troops based in the southern half of the divided peninsula.
· Spread the bottom half with the cooled apple filling and cover with the top half of the cake.· In fact, the top half of the diagram is not very different.· We want to establish a position in the top half of the table.· The front door was open, revealing a stone-flagged porch, and an inner door with frosted glass in the top half.· There is, however, one further difference affecting the top half of.the diagram.· Some nests are given waterproof roofs by using particularly wide strips of leaves for the top half.· Not since they found the top half of the greengrocer.· The impact almost completely crushed the top half of the car.
· At 590p or more, lead sponsor Merrill Lynch will have achieved a price in the upper half of that range.· Across its upper half, two lines Of human figures snake toward an abstract river.· His lower body is lime green with a rich shading of deep red across the upper half.· At the brink of the chasm the upper half of his body rose for an instant with the arms uplifted.· Six to eight diagonal transverse bands lie on the upper half of the body.· A small television screen covered its upper half.· I looked at several texts directed at the upper half of secondary schools and roughly the same categories emerged as for social studies.· Both of these features should be apparent in the upper half of Figure 7.5, which shows a smooth plain.
NOUN· Celie is fourteen years old, she has one sister, Nettie and numerous half brothers and sisters.· The president's half brother and one of his sons sued the government for trampling on their civil rights!
· Although a recognised left back, Jimmy Phillips had experience at centre half with Rangers.· Noo there wis a centre half.· Curtis Fleming has been tried at centre half in two recent Central League games but lacks experience for a key job.· Crewe centre half, Darren Carr got the header as the Hereford defence stood and watched.· Boss Billy Bonds has been impressed in training by the 23-year-old centre half from Partisan Belgrade.· I would have thought Centre half one of the more easier positions for talent spotting.
· All rounder Kevin Dixon has made a big impact, hitting two half centuries and also taking wickets.· He had fought a maddening, 24-hour battle against a river that California agriculture had tamed for more than a half century.· Manu Singh scored an undefeated half century in St Edwards' league success against Arnot.· Massachusetts unimaginatively kept its establishment for another half century.· Newtown then raced to 92-3 with Gwilym Lewis reaching an undefeated half century and Brian Jones adding 22.· Light rays, anticipating by a half century the Rayonniststructures of Larionov, were made visible by the photographic telescope.· Port had posted 179-7 thanks to an unbeaten half century by John Roberts.· Commerce and industry are more splintered and diverse than a half century ago.
· The entire park had taken on an eerie red glow from the flashing sirens of the half dozen fire trucks parked alongside.· Sunday night he was wild on at least a half dozen.· Project sources say any one of the half dozen is capable of winning the contract.· Now a mere half dozen kinds are left.· No one has been here in six months, and only a half dozen or so have ever signed it.· Around the vases a half dozen metal stakes had been planted.· Names of a half dozen snitches have been listed as prosecution witnesses to whom Wooten allegedly confessed.
· She had been waiting in his office with growing impatience for a full half hour.· The passenger wagons were not going into town for another half hour, so I hired a carriage and went in myself.· The envelope remained in my pocket for another half hour, after which time I casually strolled out to the gents.· A half hour at the latest.· Stuart claimed the extra half hour and we won by an innings in a day.· I kept checking the bathroom mirror every half hour or so, certain my face was swelling on one side.· Already the first stars were out; in a half hour the darkness would be solid.· As expected, Annan got a generous endorsement from President Clinton, with whom he met for about a half hour.
· In a short half mile we would leave the Lake shore, and make for home along the gravel of the road.· He directs us to a good campsite a half mile down the beach at the base of a fresh-water estuary.· Arriving late to find all moving stairways were out of order a panicky half mile sprint was needed to catch our plane.· A water pipe jutted from the sandy village main street another half mile to the east.· But a half mile down the road after some other diversion, I lose him.· The nearest distraction is probably the Concord Turnpike, a half mile north of the pond.
· It cost a half million dollars to film.· This development ought to net me a half million.· At the time, District Attorney Joseph Freitas estimated the employees were stealing at least a half million dollars a year.· These offers guaranteed at least a half million dollars a year plus a cut of trading profits.· They also brought in sound trucks, extra precinct workers, and printed more than a half million pieces of campaign literature.
VERB· Galley cut the deficit in half at 7: 13 on their third power play.· Yahoo's stock price has been cut by half since last summer, but it's an overreaction, the company says.· It said said contamination levels must be cut by half within five years.· Traders of interest-rate futures are pricing in a half-point cut in the first half of this year.· Allow to cool until tepid. Cut the mangoes in half and scoop out the flesh with a metal spoon.· Now cut the tomato in half from stem top to bottom.· Industry could cut this amount in half in five years, according to the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► your better half/other halfPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something► somebody sees the glass as half-empty/half-full► go off half cocked► at half-mast► it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other
150% one of two equal parts of something: - I'm sure it will be a fantastic wedding. Eva never does anything by halves.
- He comes from a family that does not do things by halves.
- Do you want to go halves on a pizza?
- He generously agrees to go halves on you.
- She'd promised to go halves with him if he got anywhere in his negotiations.
- The arithmetic can not be faulted - and may well be judged too clever by half.
- High-ranking public officials should take the bus so they can see how the other half lives.
- Ye never knew how the other half lives!
- Federal employees were again told to stay at home after the city was buried under a foot and a half of snow.
- He has been engaged to another girl for over a year and a half.
- In the previous half-century it could not have been more than a million and a half in all.
- Jones is in a Merseyside clinic after losing a stone and a half in weight over the last seven days.
- Raymo led him a block and a half south.
- The firehouse is about a mile and a half away from my house.
- This phase was to last a year and a half and it was a period of general ineffectuality.
- Actually, Josh saw and knew only the half of it.
- But that was only the half of it.
- But this isn't the half of it.
- If I told you she was a little flaky, you wouldn't be getting the half of it.
- Loft is only the half of it, son.
- That, however, as Digby well knew was not the half of it.
- You don't know the half of it.
- Sorry, what did you say? I was half asleep.
- Corporal L, the Royal Signals Operator, is half asleep in his chair.
- He never lost his sense of humor, even when he was half asleep.
- Inside, the Porter was half asleep behind a newspaper.
- It was a hot day, and I think I must have been half asleep when I noticed something very strange.
- Most of the time they were half asleep, chatting about the weather.
- She stayed on top of him, half asleep still.
- Sorcerer felt dazed and half asleep, still dreaming wild dawn dreams.
- The old lady nodded, as if half asleep.
- Getting Jeff to listen to me is half the battle.
- Just getting an interview is half the battle.
- And as the Reidys said, finding a family-friendly company is half the battle.
- Media mavens contend that the visual comparison of the two men side by side is half the battle.
- Relishing the state is half the battle towards a good life, for everyone.
- Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half.
- I suppose I was never contented with half measures.
- Learn your trade fully, do the job properly - no half measures.
- The only alternative to Lloyd George's lies were Asquith's half measures.
- There's no half measures to playing this way.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- We got all the furniture for half price.
- At full price the set demands as much.
- First, he has devised a way of buying the ground at less than half price.
- I can't feel that this music as presented here is an attractive proposition at full price.
- If the guest took up the booking, the deposit was part payment of the full price.
- Most men's and women's clothing half price.
- On Sundays from 3 p. m. to 5 p. m., admission is half price.
- They was rubbish, and they was full price.
- Visalia bought a swimming pool at half price because its employees were unencumbered by line item budgets.
- About half the time, I went down with a buddy, half the time alone.
- Alice was thinking: Jim's so big and strong, Philip isn't; together they'd need half the time.
- AutoFix worked about half the time on both computers.
- Drunk and maudlin half the time.
- It's madness your having to live with them half the time.
- Just not in touch with it half the time.
- Poor thing, he could barely keep his eyes open half the time, and now he had this skin condition.
- The new mainframe operating system I have personally approved is going haywire; the computer is down half the time.
Two halves make a whole.one/two etc and a half (=1½, 2½ etc) My son’s three and a half now. an hour and a half later two and a half thousand peoplefirst/second/other half (of something) in the first half of the 19th century He kept the other half of the cake for himself.top/bottom/northern etc half (of something) A veil covered the lower half of her face. the southern half of the countrybreak/cut/tear etc something in half (=into two equal parts) She tore the piece of paper in half.reduce/cut something by half (=make something 50% smaller) a plan to cut European forces by half2sport one of the two parts into which a sports event is dividedfirst/second half France played very well in the first half.3player a player who plays in the middle part of the field in sports like football, rugby etc: the 23-year-old Newcastle centre half4beer British English a half of a pint of beerhalf of Can I have a half of lager, please?5ticket British English a child’s ticket, for example on a bus or train, that is cheaper than an adult’s ticket: One and a half to Waterloo, please.6a ... and a half informal used when you think that something is very unusual or surprising, or very good: That was a meal and a half!7the half of it spoken used to emphasize that a situation is more difficult, complicated, or unpleasant than people realize: Everyone knows she’s a difficult girl, but they don’t know the half of it.8your better half/other half old-fashioned used humorously to mean your husband, wife, or partner9not do something by halves to do something very eagerly and using a lot of care and effort: I’m sure it will be a fantastic wedding. Eva never does anything by halves.10go halves (on something) to share something, especially the cost of something, equally between two people: Do you want to go halves on a pizza?11too clever/rich/good etc by half British English informal very clever, rich etc in an annoying way: That boy’s too arrogant by half.12how the other half lives how people who are much richer or much poorer than you manage their lives, work, money etcCOLLOCATIONSverbsbreak/cut/tear something in half (=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.divide/split something in half· Divide the dough in half.reduce/cut something by half (=make something 50% smaller or 50% less)· The company has reduced the number of staff by half.decrease/fall by half (=become 50% less)· Share prices fell by half.increase/rise by half (=become 50% more)· The number of passengers using the service has increased by half.adjectivesthe top/bottom half· He graduated in the top half of his law school class.the upper/lower half· The upper half of the door contained a stained glass window.the northern/southern half· The northern half of the city is generally poorer.the first/second half· Profits doubled in the first half of the year.the other half· Half the patients were given the drug and the other half were given a sugar pill.the last/latter half· He struggled with ill health in the latter half of his life.phrasesone/two etc and a half· ‘How old is she?’ ‘Five and a half.’half1 predeterminer, pronoun, adjectivehalf2 nounhalf3 adverb
halfhalf3 ●●● S2 adverb EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "That's good," he said dully, putting down his half-eaten sandwich.
- Her first album is now half finished and is due out later this year.
- I found him sitting on his bed, half-dressed.
- The houses were half-submerged by the flood water.
- There was a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
- But LeRoy, he got one half again as big.
- By this time the poor charioteer was half fainting with terror, and he let the reins fall.
- Cold and half naked in the darkened bedroom, Cantor felt the day had taken a shape for the worse.
- Her right hand rests on her knee, her left is half hidden in a pocket.
- It struck me that there was nothing there half so beautiful as the vision just presented by its derelict predecessor.
- Miss Russell had a morbid fear of sunlight fading carpets and furnishings, so the curtains were half drawn as usual.
- She half fell, half collapsed against it, unable to stop the tears of fear and anguish pouring down her face.
- That's 45 percent more than in 1990, but virtually half as many as visited the Paris show.
Longman Language Activatorto be a part of something
· The road was partly blocked by a fallen tree.· What he told us was only partly true.· He was educated partly in Glasgow and partly in London.partly because · The accident happened partly because we were having an argument in the car.
if something partially happens, it does not happen completely or does not include all of something: · The house was partially destroyed by the explosion.· The ice had partially melted and there was a pool of water on the table.· The advertising campaign was only partially successful.
: half-eaten/half-finished etc if something is half-eaten, half-finished etc, half of it has been eaten, finished etc: · There was a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.· "That's good," he said dully, putting down his half-eaten sandwich.· I found him sitting on his bed, half-dressed.· The houses were half-submerged by the flood water.
use this especially to say that you are only partly sure about something or that you only partly agree with or believe something: · "Who was he hiding from?" "I'm not completely sure."· I'm not entirely convinced that we have enough control over schools as it is.· "So, is everything clear?" "Not entirely."
use this to say that something is partly true but not completely true: · Doing well in exams is to some extent a matter of luck.· To a certain extent it was our own fault that we lost the contract.· His figures were correct - up to a point.
formal partly or in a limited way - used especially in discussions and arguments: · The situation has been improved to a degree in recent months.· Golding's novel is to some degree experimental in style.
formal if something happens in part because of something, it is partly caused by it: · They developed their ideas in part from important work by Paykel.· Although bad management was the major factor, the firm's problems were due in part to a fall-off in demand.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The jug was still half full. a half-empty wine bottle I was only half awake. He looked half asleep.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. The hall was half-empty. Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. They found the body lying half naked in the grass. Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
The jug was still half full. a half-empty wine bottle I was only half awake. He looked half asleep. She was half afraid that he would say no (=a little afraid). The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. (=not fully awake)· Most of the people on the train were only half awake.
· There’s were only two windows in the bottom half of the building.
(=brother with only one parent the same as yours)· I never really liked my half-brother.
· In the second half of the century, people's wages began to rise.
(=if there is an opportunity to do something)· Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.
(=that someone has not finished smoking)· There was a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray.
(=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half.
Chris, Helen, and half a dozen others went on holiday together. (=not having finished putting your clothes on)· Don’t come in – I’m only half dressed!
The hall was half-empty. (=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.
Children under 14 travel half-fare. The government ordered that all flags should be flown at half mast (=halfway down the pole, in order to express public sadness at someone’s death). It’ll fit in if you fold it in half. I haven’t got a free day this week. McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full. (=be a very enjoyable part of doing something)· Planning a vacation is half the fun.
(also a half hour) (=thirty minutes)· I’ll meet you in half an hour.
(=an idea that has not been carefully thought out)· It’s yet another of the government’s half-baked ideas.
I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. We walked about half a mile. (=looking like half a circle)· A half moon was up now, pale and cool.
They found the body lying half naked in the grass. (=becomes twice as small)· The number of children failing at school has halved in recent years.
· In 1822 he retired from the army as captain on half pay.
(=correct to some degree, but not completely)· That theory may still be partly right.
(=a sister with only one parent the same as yours)· She doesn't see her half-sister very often.
· Kosovo is about half the size of Wales.
Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. (=break into two pieces) The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece.
The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece. The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle.· The old lady nodded, as if half asleep.· He never lost his sense of humor, even when he was half asleep.· Old men with their faces in the page, half asleep, here to escape whatever is out there.
· The long room was half dark, and half empty.· Most of the correspondents had gone now; the room was half empty.
· Allows two bikes at a time in wheelchair areas of all buses, provided the bus is less than half full.· The glass is always half full in our land of optimists.· With her, the glass is always half full.· Kaiser hospitals in Northern California are about half full, and several of them need replacement or modernization.· Our car was half full, and we were assigned to a row by ourselves.· That drawer was only half full.· But I prefer to see the glass as half full, not half empty.
· He drifts round the corner, half naked.· Cold and half naked in the darkened bedroom, Cantor felt the day had taken a shape for the worse.· Her eyes widened, glowing at the half naked girl beside her.
· Sklare was half right in his explanation.
VERB· He half closed his eyes, deliberately losing focus until the sea was a vast grey void.· There was a bedroom off to the side, its door half closed, also for buyers and their guests.· She half closed her eyes, but she knew that the picture she presented was anything but detached.· One of his eyes was half closed, and he wore a big hat which covered most of his head.
· Some in pyjamas, others half dressed suddenly lined up to take their tea and pills.· Children, som-e only toddlers, played half dressed in the sand at their feet.
· He half expected to see some naked tourist in the corner, bound and gagged.· Can't say we didn't half expect it, I suppose, by this time.· She half expected to see bloodstains.· He had been half expecting a confession.· And she had half expected that he would follow her and continue the argument.· Rodo glanced confusedly up at the ceiling, half expecting the roof to collapse in on him.· Dorcas was half expecting the car to follow them.
· Further along the grassy track, half hidden behind trees, a church roof can be glimpsed.· Her right hand rests on her knee, her left is half hidden in a pocket.· Clifford Bradley had half hidden himself from the rest of the company behind the table holding the model of the new Laboratory.· A man at the train station stood watching, half hidden in the crowd.· He had the skull half hidden in his lap and his little hand stroked the smooth bone, gently and rhythmically.· Her eyes ran down the black jacket to where the man's watch was half hidden by a white cuff.· A small wooden door, set into the stone wall, and half hidden beneath the hanging tendrils of a climbing rose.
· I half turned on the stool.· She half turned but thought better of it.· She half turned to look at the figure beside her and this proved a near fatal mistake.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► not half as/so good/interesting etc (as somebody/something)PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► keep/have one eye/half an eye on somebody/something► somebody sees the glass as half-empty/half-full► go off half cocked► at half-mast► it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other
1partly, but not completely: - But I prefer to see the glass as half full, not half empty.
- It's not half so mysterious when you've got a horde of parents dragging screaming kids around it.
- Likewise with Relevance: if B wants three bolts, he wants them now not half an hour later.
- Not three, not half a dozen, not a rifle platoon.
- So he was not half as earnest and solemn as she had thought him.
- The game could really have been over by about 60 mins, if not half time.
- Yet not half so tiresome as a February expedition across the fens.
- The pizza here isn't half bad.
- It looked like the crowd was about half and half, men and women.
- About half and half, Ralph figured.
- I thought you were supposed to enjoy it, and it was half and half really.
- Mix the hot water, chicken stock and half and half.
- Now it's about half and half.
- Others prefer to split the drinking and carrying half and half.
- Tamsin, being half and half, could have been in any of them.
- Yesterday, you were half and half.
- A TU154 weighs a third more and consumes half as much fuel again as its Western equivalent, the Boeing 727.
- Even allowing for O'Donovan doing half as much business, this would mean 3000 tonnes of toxic waste leaving Ireland a year.
- He will not worry about the quality if he does half as much on Saturday.
- The fly therefore produces half as much sperm as normal.
- The safety mattress also produced only half as much carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
- These kids only have half as much cerebral cortex as is normal.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- But cars are about half as much again as in Britain.
- But Catherine, 31, and 56-year-old Fatal Attraction star Michael spent more than half as much again.
- In school we are spending nearly half as much again, in real terms per pupil, as in 1979.
- Social Progress Health spending is half as much again as it was in 1979, after taking account of inflation.
- The Government is spending over half as much again more than Labour did when they were last in power.
- The line shot out, half as much again.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- This is half as much again as last year.
- Sorry, what did you say? I was half asleep.
- Corporal L, the Royal Signals Operator, is half asleep in his chair.
- He never lost his sense of humor, even when he was half asleep.
- Inside, the Porter was half asleep behind a newspaper.
- It was a hot day, and I think I must have been half asleep when I noticed something very strange.
- Most of the time they were half asleep, chatting about the weather.
- She stayed on top of him, half asleep still.
- Sorcerer felt dazed and half asleep, still dreaming wild dawn dreams.
- The old lady nodded, as if half asleep.
- Getting Jeff to listen to me is half the battle.
- Just getting an interview is half the battle.
- And as the Reidys said, finding a family-friendly company is half the battle.
- Media mavens contend that the visual comparison of the two men side by side is half the battle.
- Relishing the state is half the battle towards a good life, for everyone.
- Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half.
- I suppose I was never contented with half measures.
- Learn your trade fully, do the job properly - no half measures.
- The only alternative to Lloyd George's lies were Asquith's half measures.
- There's no half measures to playing this way.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- We got all the furniture for half price.
- At full price the set demands as much.
- First, he has devised a way of buying the ground at less than half price.
- I can't feel that this music as presented here is an attractive proposition at full price.
- If the guest took up the booking, the deposit was part payment of the full price.
- Most men's and women's clothing half price.
- On Sundays from 3 p. m. to 5 p. m., admission is half price.
- They was rubbish, and they was full price.
- Visalia bought a swimming pool at half price because its employees were unencumbered by line item budgets.
- About half the time, I went down with a buddy, half the time alone.
- Alice was thinking: Jim's so big and strong, Philip isn't; together they'd need half the time.
- AutoFix worked about half the time on both computers.
- Drunk and maudlin half the time.
- It's madness your having to live with them half the time.
- Just not in touch with it half the time.
- Poor thing, he could barely keep his eyes open half the time, and now he had this skin condition.
- The new mainframe operating system I have personally approved is going haywire; the computer is down half the time.
He was half in the water and half out. She was standing there half dressed, putting on her make-up. The door was only half closed. The jug was still half full. a half-empty wine bottle I was only half awake. He looked half asleep. I was half expecting her to say ‘no’. I half hoped that they wouldn’t come. I said it half jokingly.2if something is half one thing and half something else, it is a combination of those two things: He’s half English, half Swiss.3used to emphasize something bad, to say that it is almost an extremely bad thing: The kitten looked half starved. He was half dead with exhaustion. I had been driven half out of my mind with worry.4a)half as much/big etc half the size, amount etc of something else: The new machine has all the same functions, but is only half as large. b)half as much/big etc again larger by an amount that is equal to half the original size: A flat in London costs almost half as much again as a flat in Glasgow.5not half as/so good/interesting etc (as somebody/something) much less good, less interesting etc than someone or something else: The movie wasn’t half as entertaining as the book. She can’t love you half as much as I do.6not half British English spoken used when you want to emphasize an opinion or statement: She doesn’t half talk once she gets started.7not half bad spoken an expression meaning good, used especially when you are rather surprised that something is good: Actually, the party wasn’t half bad.8half and half partly one thing and partly another: The group was about half and half, complete beginners and people with some experience.