make a halfhearted attempt

make a halfhearted attempt

To try to do something in a disinterested and unenthusiastic manner. You're definitely not going to get an A on this project if you only make a halfhearted attempt at a visual aid. Come on, this poster board isn't eye-catching at all. I knew Heather didn't actually want to meet up with Ed, so when she told me she couldn't find him, I got the feeling she'd only made a halfhearted attempt.

See also: attempt, halfhearted, make

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