The half of it

usgb
phrase

Used to imply that there is more to the situation than has been said or is immediately apparent.

You think he's in trouble, that's not the half of it.
Visual representation of "the half of it" - Used to imply that there is more to the situation than has been said or is immediately apparent.

Often appears as...

  • that's not the half of it
  • you don't know the half of it

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "the half of it"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Context Matters

Understand the situation's context to grasp the full weight of 'the half of it'.

Illustration for Context Matters
She seems upset, but that's not the half of it—she just lost her job.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Hinting More

Use it to hint at additional, often complex or serious, aspects of a situation.

Illustration for Hinting More
His tardiness was an issue, but trust me, that wasn't the half of it.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

It's not usually about exact halves; it means what's known is only a small part.

Illustration for Not Literal
You think this test was hard? You don't know the half of it.
Visual representation of the word "The half of it"

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