half-cooked rice; botched job; problem left unresolved
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
half-cooked rice; undercooked rice
neutralA literal culinary term describing rice that is not fully cooked, often due to incorrect water-to-rice ratio or insufficient cooking time.
The rice cooker is broken, so we have to eat half-cooked rice tonight.
This pot of half-cooked rice is both hard and unappetizing.
noun
botched job; situation left half-done; problem that's hard to fix later
neutralA metaphorical extension of the literal meaning. Used to criticize work or a situation that was poorly handled initially, creating lasting complications that are difficult to rectify.
Without a solid foundation, the entire project has become a botched job.
This historical problem left unresolved is like a pot of half-cooked rice, very difficult to deal with.
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The reforms have become a half-baked job, and the people are dissatisfied.