Meaning & use
don't half-ass
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrasevulgarinformaldisapproving
Don't do something with too little effort or care; do it properly.
Grammar: Usually followed by a noun or an -ing form: don't half-ass your homework / don't half-ass doing your homework.
Patterns
- don't half-ass something
- don't half-ass doing something
- half-assed
Don't half-ass your essay—the teacher will notice.
He half-assed the repairs and the roof still leaks.
If you're going to help, don't half-ass it.
Common combinations
- half-ass a job
- She half-assed the job and had to redo it.
- half-ass an attempt
- Don't half-ass your attempt at the tryouts.
- half-assed effort
- His half-assed effort impressed no one.
Synonyms and how they differ
- do something half-heartedly
- This is a neutral, less vulgar way to say the same thing.
- cut corners
- Focuses on saving time or money by skipping steps, not necessarily on lack of effort.
Opposites
Word family
- half-assed adjective
- Done without proper effort or care; vulgar and informal.
Practice
Don't ___ your presentation; practice it several times.
Choose one answer.
After 'don't', use the base form of the verb: 'half-ass'. 'Half-assed' is the past tense or adjective, 'half-assing' is the -ing form, and 'half-asses' is third-person singular.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “don't half-ass”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.