Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
by half. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
by half, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
by half in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
by half you have here. The definition of the word
by half will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
by half, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Prepositional phrase
by half
- (colloquial) By far; by a long chalk; to an excessive extent or degree, especially to the extent that it is negative, gets in the way, etc.
Little Miss Smartyboots is too clever by half.
2012 November 9, Decca Aitkenhead, “Robbie Coltrane: ‘I take no nonsense’”, in The Guardian:He and two friends were known as “the three pseuds” among the rest of the boys, who thought them too clever by half.
Usage notes
- Used in constructs like too ... by half and not ... enough by half.
See also