by half en · ADP
Meanings
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(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.
He and two friends were known as “the three pseuds” among the rest of the boys, who thought them too clever by half.
2012 November 9, Decca Aitkenhead, “Robbie Coltrane: ‘I take no nonsense’”, in The Guardian:Little Miss Smartyboots is too clever by half.
Relateds
not half bad · for one's own good · dunnarf · by halves · not half