by half

Idioms  

1. Considerably, a great deal, as in He was too good a cook by half for this small restaurant. [c. a.d. 1000] Contrast by halves.

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Example Sentences

When the researchers incorporated their measurements into astrophysical models, they reduced the uncertainty in the predicted abundance of selenium-74 by half.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Corrections & Amplifications: BlackRock’s estimate that a small amount of private assets would boost retirement plan returns by half a percentage point a year comes from its internal modeling.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The number of people living in relative poverty in the UK rose by half a million in the year up to March 2025, new government figures have shown.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The critical conference game will decide the head-to-head tiebreaker between the teams that are separated by half a game in the standings.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

With twins, she could only have loved each of us by half.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver