half-hearted attempt
collocation in Englishmeaningsofhalf-heartedandattempt
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withattempt.
half-hearted
adjective
uk/ˌhɑːfˈhɑː.tɪd/us/ˌhæfˈhɑːr.t̬ɪd/
showing no enthusiasm ...
See more athalf-hearted
attempt
noun[C]
uk/əˈtempt/us/əˈtempt/
the act of trying to do something, especially ...
See more atattempt
(Definition ofhalf-heartedandattemptfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofhalf-hearted attempt
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Thirdly, they can make ahalf-heartedattemptto do both, and do neither adequately.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We have so far seen, at best, only ahalf-heartedattempt.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It makes ahalf-heartedattemptto introduce an independent element in investigations of complaints against the police.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
There was ahalf-heartedattemptto dampen it down, but it is still increasing.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We are worried about the cost and run the risk of making ahalf-heartedattemptwhich will be doomed to failure by its sheer inadequacies.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Magnes says, we made ahalf-heartedattempt.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
His return was fortuitous, because the next month disgruntled members of the 21st made ahalf-heartedattemptat mutiny.
From
Wikipedia
He may have made ahalf-heartedattemptto intercept the young assassins at the border, but they had already crossed.
From
Wikipedia
Despite making ahalf-heartedattemptto retain power, he resigned as leader the following year.
From
Wikipedia
After more than a minute he started again, ahalf-heartedattempt, in a dull voice.
From
Wikipedia
Yet, even in this context, universities have only made half-hearted attempts to engage with the philosophical, conceptual, pedagogical and organizational basis of immersion teacher education.
From theCambridge English Corpus
We will go much further than the half-hearted attempts at decentralisation to be found in existing legislation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I do not believe that these half-hearted attempts to produce schemes of this kind really benefit agriculture.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Though from time to time there have been half-hearted attempts to make party political capital out of the situation, the supporting evidence for this is invariably very flimsy indeed.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That means that rather half-hearted attempts at action are made because there is a break away from the normal method of achieving action after policy has been decided upon.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Half-hearted attempts after the peace to repair the ruined mines failed; the town became impoverished, and in 1770 was devastated by fire.
From
Wikipedia
A number of half-hearted attempts were made at reform during the war and in its immediate aftermath, but with little effect.
From
Wikipedia
Although both colonies made half-hearted attempts to negotiate, each found reasons to delay, and no progress was made.
From
Wikipedia
He criticized the amateurish cinematography, the half-hearted attempts at mystery and the wooden cast.
From
Wikipedia
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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