half a loaf

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half a loaf

less than what is wanted or is right I didn't get everything I wanted in my contract but decided to accept half a loaf and not fight it.

Usage notes: the full form of this idiom is half a loaf is better than none (getting less than what you wanted is better than getting nothing): The new ferry service operates only on weekends, but half a loaf is better than none.

Related vocabulary: see the glass (as) half full

Etymology: based on the idea that it is better to have some bread to eat than none at all

See also: half, loaf

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References in classic literature	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
Mr Swiveller,' said Quilp, 'being pretty well accustomed to the agricultural pursuits of sowing wild oats, Miss Sally, prudently considers that half a loaf is better than no bread. The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens, Charles View in context Holding the door of the wood-lodge ajar, she looked in and extended to him half a loaf of white bread--'such bread as the rich eat in my country,' he used to say. Amy Foster by Conrad, Joseph View in context			had a nice time had as soon do had better had it coming had rather do hadn't oughta haggle haggle about haggle over hail hail a cab hail as hail from hail-fellow-well-met hair hair and hide hair of the dog that bit hair-raising haired hale hale and hearty hale-fellow-well-met half half a bubble off plumb half a dozen half a loaf Half a loaf is better than none half in the bag half the battle half the time Half the truth is often a whole lie Half the world knows not how the other half lives half under half-arsed half-baked half-hearted halfhearted halfway halt halves ham ham it up ham up ham-fisted hammer hammer at hammer down hammer home hammer into hammer into and pound into hammer on			Halewood International Foreign Exchange Haley Haley Haley Farm State Park Haley Joel Osment Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society Haley's Comet Haley's Comet Haley's Comet Haley, Alex Haley, Bill Haley, Bill Haley, Jay Haley, Sir William Haleys comet Haleys comet half half half half half half Half & Half Nails half a bubble off plumb Half a crown Half a crown Half a dollar Half a dollar half a dozen half a dozen half a loaf Half a loaf is better than none Half a mo Half a Ton Half adder half adders half adders half adders Half an eye half an hour half an hour Half and half Half and half half and half nail Half ape Half Ass Half Ass Half back Half back Half back Half Back Flank Half Baked half baluster half bat half bath half bath half bath half bath Half Bathroom Half Bathroom half believe

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