happy medium


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Related to happy medium: strike a happy medium

happy medium

A healthy balance between two extremes. It can be difficult for working mothers to find a happy medium between maintaining their careers and caring for their families.
See also: happy, medium
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

happy medium

The midway point between two extremes. For example, We need to find a happy medium between overdoing the holiday season and ignoring it entirely . This expression, first recorded in 1778, was once known as the golden mean and is based on ancient mathematical principles.
See also: happy, medium
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

a happy medium

COMMON A happy medium is something that is successful or pleasant because it avoids being extreme. Here you have the freedom to be energetic, lazy or strike a happy medium in between. Tours like his provide a happy medium between protecting the sea-life and giving holidaymakers a unique experience.
See also: happy, medium
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a/the happy ˈmedium

a sensible balance between two extremes: I like to know my colleagues well, but not too well. The sort of friendship I have with them now is a happy medium. ♢ In life generally we should try to find the happy medium. Extreme solutions to problems always lead to difficulties.
See also: happy, medium
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
Since then, I've spent a lot of time thinking about whether there is a "happy medium" anymore in these polarized times, one that can truly please most of the people.
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Two years later, we feel that we've hit a happy medium. The addition of two designers who are experienced with desktop, as well as the acquisition of two Macs, a PC and all the related doodads, has broadened our scope and given us options that weren't there for us before.
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Riverside will give artists another option in relation to venue size, providing a well-needed happy medium in comparison to some of Newcastle's smaller 300-capacity venues, or larger venues such as the O2 Academy.
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