half the battle

Idioms  

1. A successful beginning, as in You've got the shopping list done—that's half the battle. This expression is an abbreviation of an 18th-century proverb, “The first blow is half the battle.”

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Example Sentences

The trouble was that beating Sinner was only half the battle.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Filing the return is only half the battle - you must also pay any tax owed for the 2024-25 tax year by January 31 which will require sufficient cleared funds available in your bank account ahead of the deadline," said Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest.

From BBC

But working with people you like is half the battle, and it might be worth talking to your manager/superior about managing your workload, and taking a sabbatical to see if you like not working 24/7.

From MarketWatch

“We made a good film, but half the battle is getting people to see it.”

From Los Angeles Times

In an attention-deficit economy where standing out is half the battle, the posts sparkle with unapologetic swagger.

From Los Angeles Times