half-seas over
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of half-seas over
First recorded in 1545–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He who would many an evil shun Will find my plan the best-- To trim the sail as shifts the gale, And half-seas over rest.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 4 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright
"I thought thou wert there all along, being already half-seas over," said Cary.
From Westward Ho!, or, the voyages and adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the county of Devon, in the reign of her most glorious majesty Queen Elizabeth by Kingsley, Charles
In French and German the state of being "half-seas over" or "three sheets in the wind," and the practice of "splicing the main-brace" are expressed by various land metaphors.
From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest
Oh, by Jove, it's quite true!" said the irreverent Saxon; "you used to tell me about it every night when you were half-seas over at Shrewsbury.
From Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 366, April, 1846 by Various
Stop barking, you little dog Rover, Till Linda can get half-seas over.
From The Woman Who Dared by Sargent, Epes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
