half the battle

1. A successful beginning, as in You've got the shopping list done—that's half the battle. This expression is an abbreviation of an 18th-century proverb, “The first blow is half the battle.”

Example Sentences

In an attention-deficit economy where standing out is half the battle, the posts sparkle with unapologetic swagger.

From Los Angeles Times

But getting to her was only half the battle; they still had to find some way to get her out of there.

From Los Angeles Times

"Recognising it is half the battle," he told host Lauren Laverne.

From BBC

Wrangling that audience is half the battle, and when he has them in the palm of his hand with a quick succession of punchlines, Skinner flips the script to show off his dramatic chops.

From Salon

"Like only half the battle is creating the safe space. The other half of the battle is getting people to not do these things and not have these behaviours."

From BBC