by half

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Example Sentences

It did not: a vague, defensive, too-clever-by-half effort that neither inspired nor satisfied.

From The Daily Beast

She said good-by half a dozen times, and wept a little at parting.

From Project Gutenberg

He becomes arrogant, "too-clever-by-half," and intrigue teaches him cruelty.

From Project Gutenberg

"It would be the Too-clever-by-half's before we'd done with it," said Oswald.

From Project Gutenberg