E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
4. Blow.
A stroke, (German, bläuen, to beat or strike.)
1
At one blow. By one stroke.
2
The first blow is half the battle. Well begun is half done. Pythagoras used to
say, “The beginning is half the whole.” “Incipe: Dimidium facti est cœpisse” (Ausonius). “Dimidium facti, qui cœpit, habet” (Horace). “Ce n’est que le premier pas qui coûte.”
3
Without striking a blow. Without coming to a contest.
