in half
in half — idiom
1. to cut, break, fold, or separate a physical object so that it becomes two pieces
to cut, break, fold, or separate a physical object so that it becomes two pieces of the same size
Erik folded the paper in half and slipped it into his pocket.
fold + in half for dividing paper or fabric
Lara broke the chocolate bar in half so both children could have a piece.
The wooden shelf split in half when Kian placed the heavy books on it.
split + in half for accidental breaking
Mayumi tore the letter in half and threw both pieces into the bin.
Obi cut the old rope in half with a sharp kitchen knife.
cut + in half for intentional division
- cut in half
- fold in half
- break in half
- tear in half
- split in half
- snap in half
Grammar Patterns
cut / fold / break / tear / split / snap something in half
Common Mistakes
2. to reduce the amount, cost, or number of something by 50 percent
to reduce the amount, cost, or number of something by 50 percent
The supermarket cut its prices in half for the end-of-season sale.
cut + in half for price reduction
Hannah cut her weekly coffee spending in half to save for a holiday.
After the new highway opened, travel time to the airport was cut in half.
passive: be cut in half for describing results
The factory slashed its waste output in half by using recycled materials.
Kabir saw his electricity bill cut in half after installing solar panels.
reduced + in half for utility costs
- cut in half
- reduce in half
- slash in half
- trim in half
- be cut in half
- by half
also correct but more common in British English than American English
- by 50 percent
more formal, used in business and academic contexts
- double
increase to twice the original amount
Grammar Patterns
cut / reduce / slash / trim something in half
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used with verbs that mean 'reduce' — cut, reduce, slash, trim. It does not describe physical division; for cutting a physical object into two pieces, see sense 1.
Common Mistakes
3. in or into two parts that are the same size or almost the same size
in or into two parts that are the same size or almost the same size
The teacher divided the class in half for the group discussion activity.
divide + in half for splitting groups equally
Aoi split the prize money in half with her research partner.
The river divides the small town in half, with a bridge connecting both sides.
The charity split the donations in half between a local shelter and a disaster relief fund.
in half for balanced arrangement
Abigail split the pizza in half with her brother, giving him the larger slice because it was his birthday.
share + in half for equal portions
- divide in half
- split in half
- share in half
- into two equal parts
more explicit about the equality of the parts
Grammar Patterns
divide / share / split something in half
be in half
Usage Note
This sense describes the resulting state or arrangement of something being in two equal parts. Sense 1 emphasises the action of physically cutting or breaking, while this sense focuses on the equal distribution or layout.