by half

by half

1. (colloquial) By far; by a long chalk; to an excessive extent or degree, especially to the extent that it is negative, gets in the way, etc.

   Little Miss Smartyboots is too clever by half.

   • 2012 November 9, Decca Aitkenhead, “Robbie Coltrane: ‘I take no nonsense’”, in The Guardian‎:

     He and two friends were known as “the three pseuds” among the rest of the boys, who thought them too clever by half.

• Used in constructs like too ... by half and not ... enough by half.

• by halves
• for one's own good