half-listening

I’m only half-listening, which is rude, but I assume she’s going to ask me about Cindy’s murder just like everybody else in this musty old church wants to do.

Heaven’s Fury Stephen Frey 2010

Declan was only half-listening, keeping the monitor in the corner of his vision.

Dreams of a Dark Warrior Kresley Cole 2011

I was only half-listening, but my ears perked up when Sterling offered an explanation for Lowell's display of emotions.

Vivian Diller, Ph.D.: Retiring Athletes and Aging Beauty Queens: Shared Destinies? Ph.D. Vivian Diller 2010

But I was done hooking the bra, and she was beautiful now in her engagement-party dress, a tea green that draped off her shoulders, and I was sipping on coffee, half-listening to her describe the pain of loving too much and half-listening to Phil Collins instructing us to Please Come Out Tonight.

The Adults Alison Espach 2011

I was only half-listening, but my ears perked up when Sterling offered an explanation for Lowell's display of emotions.

Vivian Diller, Ph.D.: Retiring Athletes and Aging Beauty Queens: Shared Destinies? Ph.D. Vivian Diller 2010

Chase seemed to be half-listening to the woman, answering in monosyllables—while Dixon was visibly lusting over him.

Dreams of a Dark Warrior Kresley Cole 2011

“They had these plaid pea-coats,” I said half-listening to her and giving up on the search for my smokes, “making sure no one paid for one of those was good for the world.”

Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels and comic books » JMiles’ Review Forum 2009

“Okay,” he replied, half-listening, more interested now in peering beyond Brian to see what was in the living room.

Dark Secrets 2: No Time to Die the Deep End of Fear Elizabeth Chandler 2011

Most voters are only half-listening at best, and all but the clearest ideas tend to slide over their heads – leaving vivid but unhelpful snippets.

Ed Miliband: Keep calm and carry on? 2012

“Okay,” he replied, half-listening, more interested now in peering beyond Brian to see what was in the living room.

Dark Secrets 2: No Time to Die the Deep End of Fear Elizabeth Chandler 2011