|
Reader question: Please explain “meet them half way” in this sentence: If Republicans think Obama will meet them half way, they’re wasting their time. My comments: This is to say President Barack Obama, a Democrat, will not seek compromise with Republicans over Obamacare. Or some other policy issue. I don’t know but that’s not the point of focus for us here anyway. Here, let’s talk about “meeting somebody half way”, which is a good American idiom. I’m pretty sure it’s an American idiom, judging from its simplicity. Anyways, say your friend lives at the other end of your street. The two of you are making an appoint to meet for lunch somewhere else in town. You may decide to meet each other half way in your street and then go to lunch together. Half way, in this case, is literally the middle point between you and your friend. This expression is often used in business. For example, if a private company invests 20 million yuan to ease air pollution in the city and a politician says the government will meet them halfway, it means that the government will spent 20 million yuan of public money in the joint venture. Or a similar amount of money because the politician may be speaking figuratively. I mean, we must not take a politician’s word too literally – especially when a pro pol talks politics. Politically, you see, there might not be an exact middle point to seek and reach. In that case, a willingness to meet with your opponent half way simply means that you’re very willing to negotiate and make compromises. | 
