half-measures
Stopping short actions
Half-measures are incomplete or inadequate efforts that fall short of what's needed to address a problem.
The term carries implicit criticism—half-measures suggest timidity or unwillingness to commit fully: The committee's half-measures won't solve the housing crisis.
Usually plural; the singular half-measure is rarer but valid.
Mildly warm temperature
- tepidMildly warm, lacking intensity
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
- hesitantSlow to act
ambivalent · timid · cautious · wishy-washy · indecisive · wavering · foot-dragging · risk-averse
Temporary substitute measure
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
workaround · placeholder · watered-down · lip-service · box-ticking · surface-level
Intermediate position between extremes
- concessionYielding a point
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
lukewarm
Mildly warm temperature
- tepidMildly warm, lacking intensity
- unenthusiasticWithout eagerness or passion
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
hesitant · ambivalent · timid · cautious · wishy-washy · indecisive · wavering · foot-dragging · risk-averse · tentative
stopgap
Temporary substitute measure
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- patchworkFabric scraps sewn together
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
shortcut · workaround · placeholder · watered-down · lip-service · box-ticking · surface-level
middle-ground
Intermediate position between extremes
- concessionYielding a point
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- moderationAvoidance of excess
hedging · fence-sitting · straddling · equivocation · gradualism
- shoddinessslipshod, slapdash, hack job, botch job, botch
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
half-measuresdecisive action
Firm choice, promptly executed
extreme measures · bold action · scorched earth · nuclear option · shock therapy
half-measuresgoing all in
maximum effort · going the whole hog · pulling out all the stops · no holds barred · pedal to the metal
measure, half, measured, halfway, measuring, measures, halved, halves, immeasurable