halfway

Don't worry, grow anxious, or distress oneself unnecessarily over something that has yet to happen. Don't meet trouble halfway, or you'll end up paralyzed with indecision and anxiety. Don't meet trouble halfway—just wait and see how she treats you at the birthday party. I'm know you're nervous, but don't meet trouble halfway. Until the doctor calls, you're just guessing at scenarios anyway.

To compromise with someone, often in an argument or disagreement. I'll agree to some of your requests if you'll go halfway and allow me to implement some of my ideas. Hey, buddy, please go halfway and at least try to clean your room once a month, OK? Can we go halfway on this? I'm willing to compromise.

Somewhat good, useful, or enjoyable, but not very; passable. Anyone with a halfway decent phone can access the Internet these days! John: "So, what did you think of the film?" Bill: "Eh, it was halfway decent, I guess." We're stuck here for the night. All we need is a halfway decent place to sleep, and we can try to book a flight in the morning.

To compromise with someone, often in an argument or disagreement. I'll agree to some of your requests if you'll meet me halfway and allow me to implement some of my ideas. Hey, buddy, please meet your mother and I halfway and at least try to clean your room once a month, OK? Can we meet halfway on this? I'm willing to compromise.

To worry, grow anxious, or distress oneself unnecessarily over something that has yet to happen. You can't go through life meeting trouble halfway, or you'll end up paralyzed with indecision and anxiety.

Fig. to compromise with someone. No, I won't give in, but I'll meet you halfway. They settled the argument by agreeing to meet each other halfway.

Also, meet someone halfway. Compromise, give up something for the sake of an agreement. For example, The Smiths are willing to go halfway and pay their share for snow-plowing, or I'll make peace with Nancy if she'll just meet me halfway. [Late 1500s]

COMMON If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their opinions or wishes, so that you can come to an agreement with them or have a better relationship with them. Democrats are willing to meet the president halfway on measures to stimulate the economy. Young people need to develop skills at forming relationships with adults by meeting them half-way.

A halfway house is something that has some features of one thing and some of another. A halfway house between the theatre and cinema is possible. The place was a sort of halfway house between a prison and a care home. Note: A halfway house was an inn located halfway between two neighbouring towns or villages and would have been used by coach passengers in former times. The name is still seen on pubs and inns.