IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishmeet someone halfway
Meaning: To make a compromise with someone.
Example: “The landlord wouldn't cut the rent entirely, but he met us halfway.”
Origin: The image is of two travelers each covering half the distance. The figurative sense is long established; its first use has not been traced.
Equivalents in other languages
Dutch: water bij de wijn doen Literally: To add water to the wine
French: Mettre de l'eau dans son vin Literally: To put water in one's wine
More English idioms
- have a free hand To have freedom to act as one sees fit.
- take a load off someone's mind To relieve someone of a worry.
- a bottomless pit Something that uses up endless money or effort; also a person who is always hungry.
- in the middle of nowhere In a very remote place, far from towns.
- out of thin air Appearing from nowhere, as if by magic.
- be at a low ebb To be in a poor or weak state.
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