half the time—(hyperbolic)
1. a much shorter time than is normal or expected:
- I could have done it in half the time.
2. a considerable time:
- I’m not surprised he didn’t complete the exam—he spent half the time looking out the window.
3. habitually; very frequently:
- She calls on the neighbors, she’s out half the time and doesn’t answer the telephone.
half time—
1. an interval between the two halves of a game of football, hockey, etc.:
- Before half-time he kicked two goals out of the three registered for Middlesex.
2. half the time usually worked:
- I worked halftime in the atmospheric sciences department with a professor I consider a genius.