half-ass
Do it poorly
Half-ass means to do something with minimal effort or care, producing a shoddy result: Don't half-ass this project—we need it done right.
The adjective half-assed describes the result: a half-assed attempt, a half-assed apology.
Both forms are vulgar but common in casual speech.
The image is of using only half your rear end—not fully committing.
Careless and untidy
- slipshodCareless and hasty
- haphazardLacking organization or plan
- negligentFailing in due care
- thoughtlessShowing no consideration
perfunctory · cursory · inattentive · heedless · remiss · lax · offhand · cavalier
Of poor craftsmanship
- subparBelow acceptable quality
- inferiorOf lower rank
- crummyWretchedly inferior
- lousyOf very poor quality
shabby · second-rate · substandard · poor · cheap · tacky · jerry-rigged · jury-rigged
Avoiding effort or exertion
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
uncommitted · disengaged · uninspired · listless · lackadaisical · nonchalant · coasting · slacking
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- half-donePartially completed, abandoned midway
- half-bakedInsufficiently planned or considered
- undoneNot fastened or completed
abandoned · neglected · fragmentary · sketchy · rough · unpolished · unrefined · cobbled-together
sloppy
Careless and untidy
thoughtless · perfunctory · cursory · inattentive · heedless · remiss · lax · offhand · cavalier · slapdash
shoddy
Of poor craftsmanship
lousy · shabby · second-rate · substandard · poor · cheap · tacky · jerry-rigged · jury-rigged · makeshift
lazy
Avoiding effort or exertion
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
lackluster · uncommitted · disengaged · uninspired · listless · lackadaisical · nonchalant · coasting · slacking
unfinished
Not yet complete
- partialFavoring one side
- half-donePartially completed, abandoned midway
- half-bakedInsufficiently planned or considered
undone · abandoned · neglected · fragmentary · sketchy · rough · unpolished · unrefined · cobbled-together · patchy
half-assthorough
Complete in every detail
wholehearted · all-out · painstaking · meticulous · exhaustive
half-asspolished
Smooth, refined, accomplished
professional · first-rate · excellent · impeccable · flawless
halfway, halved, halves, halve, ass, halfhearted, halving, half-assed