see the glass half empty

see the glass (as) half empty

to believe that a situation is more bad than good. Some economists looking ahead to the second half of the year see the glass as half empty.

Usage notes: also used in the form the glass is half empty the situation is seen as bad or not hopeful: A lot of people are unhappy with the way the organization is run — they say the glass is half empty.

See also: empty, glass, half, see