half measures
Timid partial solutions
Half measures are incomplete or inadequate efforts that fall short of what's needed.
The phrase nearly always appears in criticism—someone took half measures when the situation demanded full commitment: Half measures won't solve this crisis.
The singular half measure is less common but carries the same dismissive tone.
Lacking necessary parts
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- partialFavoring one side
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
patchwork · superficial · token · cosmetic · watered-down · perfunctory · lukewarm · tepid
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
- vacillationInability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
equivocation · hedging · timidity · tentativeness · caution · reluctance · wishy-washy · noncommittal
Position between extremes
- concessionYielding a point
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
moderation · give-and-take · splitting the difference · accommodation · bargaining · hedging · tempering · dilution
incomplete
Lacking necessary parts
- inadequateNot sufficient for purpose
- partialFavoring one side
- stopgapTemporary substitute measure
band-aid · patchwork · superficial · token · cosmetic · watered-down · perfunctory · lukewarm · tepid · nominal
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
- vacillationInability to choose
ambivalence · equivocation · hedging · timidity · tentativeness · caution · reluctance · wishy-washy · noncommittal · dithering
middle ground
Position between extremes
- concessionYielding a point
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
negotiation · moderation · give-and-take · splitting the difference · accommodation · bargaining · hedging · tempering · dilution · softening
- measurement idiomsinch by inch, give an inch, whole nine yards, by a mile, go the extra mile
- recovery slogansone day at a time, easy does it, keep it simple, first things first, keep coming back
- shoddinessslipshod, slapdash, hack job, botch job, botch
- ineffective responsesexcuses, deflection, denial, avoidance, stonewalling
- shortcomingsdeficient, inadequate, lacking, inferior, subpar
- workaroundsworkaround, workarounds, fixes, hacks, quick fix
half measuresgoing all in
whole hog · maximum effort · no holds barred · following through · completeness
half measuresbold action
Courageous, risky undertaking
decisive action · extreme measures · going for broke · taking the plunge · crossing the Rubicon
half measuresgoing all the way
Proceeding to completion
thoroughness · completeness · decisive action · follow-through · leaving no stone unturned
half, halves, halved, halving, halfway, halfhearted, halfheartedly, measure, measures