First recorded in 1760–70
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Given all this, I tried to make sense of the electronic shoreline with Anhinga, our 37-foot Bertram, rolling in a beam sea as the Whaler attempted to slip a half hitch around her wheels.
From Time Magazine Archive
Moreover, there was reason to suppose that all four had been bound by the same person: in all four instances the same type of knot, a half hitch, was used.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
He must have made that half hitch carelessly.
From Ralph Granger's Fortunes by Brown, William Perry
And, as I'm all ready except another half hitch to my white tie, I'm elected.
From Torchy, Private Sec. by Lincoln, F. Foster
Wind ribbing spirally around the body and tie off with two turns and a half hitch of tying silk as Fig.
From How to Tie Flies by Gregg, Ellery Clark
When securing these lines, use a full wrap around the base of the cleat, at least one figure eight and a half-hitch cinched tight.
From Time Magazine Archive
The bobbins not actually in use hang down fixed as in lace work by a half-hitch.
From Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving by Christie, Grace
By making a half-hitch around this internode, the vine is held very firmly.
From Manual of American Grape-Growing by Hedrick, U. P.
He had sprung from his concealment and was now working to loosen the half-hitch from the rock.
From Alcatraz by Brand, Max
Every time I get a half-hitch on that fellow, something turns up to make it slip.
From The Taming of Red Butte Western by Lynde, Francis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
