🗓️ Idiom: Find a Happy Medium (verb)
💬 Meaning
- To reach a balance between two extreme situations or opinions.
- To make a compromise that keeps both sides reasonably satisfied.
🧠 Example Sentences
- Working from home every day was isolating, but being in the office full-time was tiring. She found a happy medium by going in three days a week.
- The manager wanted quick results, but the team needed more time, so they found a happy medium with a two-week deadline.
- He tries to find a happy medium between his work responsibilities and personal life.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase comes from the idea of “medium” meaning “middle point.” The word “happy” was added to suggest satisfaction or comfort in this balanced position. It has been used since the 1700s to describe a state that avoids extremes.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
Working overtime every night is too much, but leaving early isn’t fair either—let’s __________.
Answer
find a happy medium
2. Choose the correct meaning:
What does “find a happy medium” mean?
a) To choose the easiest option
b) To balance two different sides or needs
c) To avoid making any decision
Answer
b) To balance two different sides or needs
3. Change the sentence using “find a happy medium”:
“We need to compromise between working too hard and not enough.”
Answer
We need to find a happy medium between working too hard and not enough.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
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👉 Work Life Balance Idioms
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