half-ass

== English == === Alternative forms === half-arse (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) === Etymology === From half +‎ -ass, see half-assed. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhæfæs/ === Adjective === half-ass (comparative more half-ass, superlative most half-ass) (slang, somewhat vulgar) Produced in an incompetent or desultory manner, or of something lacking in quality or substance; of low rank; incompetent. Synonym: half-assed Coordinate terms: quarter-assed, whole-ass 1969, The End of the Road by John Barth (page 155) the only abortion she could get even in the city would be a half-ass job by some half-ass doctor who could mess her up for the rest of her life ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === half-ass (third-person singular simple present half-asses, present participle half-assing, simple past and past participle half-assed) (slang, somewhat vulgar, transitive) To perform a task incompletely or carelessly. Coordinate terms: quarter-ass, whole-ass Near-synonyms: phone in, shortchange, underdo 2002, Guardians of the Eagle by John D. Messer (page 102) if you're working for me and I send you to do a job and you half-ass it, that reflects on me. In civilian life, we'd just fire you. Here I can't get rid of you. ==== Translations ==== === See also === half ass (“onager”)