half-cock

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1. UKNot with full vigour, half-heartedly.

   If you're going to be a freak, be a complete freak, no point at all in going at it half-cock.

   1997, Stephen Fry, Moab Is My Washpot

   2 more examples

   Certain progress, however, has been made, such as using Alan Knottto help England's wicket-keepers, for instance, while other 'specialist' coaches have been employed thanks to the Whittingdale scheme. But, until now, so much of this has been done half-cock.

   1994, Ian Botham, My Autobiography, page 352

   They had the clearest mandate of any govt. They failed in every category, the State is bigger, taxation is at highest since the war, and immigration is growing both legally and illegally. Even Brexit was done half cock too. Why are our politicians so weak and feeble?

   2024 June 6, @diane_lizbet, X