〜もそこそこに
Formation
Meaning
To do an action quickly or half-heartedly without completing it properly, often because one is in a hurry or very tired.
Note
Describes situations where an action is cut short to prioritize something else. It often connects to nouns related to social etiquette (greetings), biological needs (meals, sleep), or tasks (packing, cleaning). It suggests that the action was performed to a minimum acceptable level before rushing elsewhere.
Examples
彼は時間がないと言って、挨拶もそこそこに帰っていった。
Saying he had no time, he left cutting his greetings short.
あまりにも疲れていたので、夕食もそこそこにベッドに倒れ込んだ。
I was so tired that I collapsed into bed without adequately finishing dinner.
突然の来客に驚き、部屋の片付けもそこそこに玄関へ向かった。
Startled by the sudden visitor, I headed to the entrance doing only a half-hearted job of tidying the room.
出発の時間が迫っていたため、荷造りもそこそこに家を飛び出した。
Since the departure time was approaching, I dashed out of the house cutting my packing short.
会議が長引いたので、昼休みもそこそこに午後の仕事に戻った。
Because the meeting dragged on, I returned to my afternoon work without taking a proper lunch break.
終電に間に合わせるため、友人との会話もそこそこに駅へ走った。
To make it in time for the last train, I ran to the station cutting my conversation with my friend short.