There is a problem that has a way to address it.  However, the way to address the problem is not a solution because it doesn't completely solve the problem, and perhaps it is not even a partial solution because it doesn't really solve it. It also introduces complications that may have to be dealt with separately.  The best thing that comes to my mind is "addressing the problem", and it would be great if there was a noun for it.  I would suppose that "mitigation" is an appropriate word, but perhaps there is something more precise?
61597
I'm looking for a phrase to describe fixing the relatively minor problems of something with addressing a larger underlying problem. One example would be if a house had a bug infestation and someone simply covered any holes the bugs were coming through instead of dealing with the infestation itself. Or similarly, patching up a hole each time it appeared in worn-out clothing.   I thought the term was spot-fixing, but looking online, this seems to be associated with illegal sport fixing.   edit: To clarify, I'm looking for a phrase to describe each of the individual fixes made. in other words, something that would fit in the blank here: "He made another __ by duct-taping the crack in the wall". Or similarly "patching the hole was another ___ but the shirt needed to be replaced".
13104
ie. Knowing that they have an unpaid debt, yet doesn't care.  I suppose "he is renouncing his debt" would be fine, but it doesn't seem to flow well.  "he is abandoning his debt" doesn't sound too good either, so are there any better alternatives?
76116
"Environmentally-friendly" sounds completely normal to me. So does "Environment-friendly". But I'm pretty sure I favour the former (despite the fact that I normally prefer the shorter of any two equivalent terms).  According to Google, I'm in good company. At least, the 'allies' massively outnumber those who say "Environment-friendly".  Why is this? Environment seems like a straightforward noun. All the other -friendly constructions I can think of just bolt on to the uninflected noun...  User-friendly software, Gay-friendly bar, Dolphin-friendly tuna, etc.  I hesitate to ask "What's so special about the environment?", but there it is being asked.  Later... Note that my focus is on why the inflected form apparently 'just happens' to be used with environment, but not with other nouns.
66401
I'd like to know if someone has a better word than , for both creating and updating something.  Context: I'm a software developer and I'm trying to think of a clever way to name the function that will initially create an object, and if it's already created, update it.
95719
There is a kind of situation that seems to occur somewhat commonly, that goes something like:   Figure out some way to handle a particular situation do it regularly, and make a habit of it, as it seems to work OK … … and only much later actually realize that it very much isn’t OK, that it’s been doing harm all the time, and that it’s too late to fix anything.   Does there exist any good words or phrases for this kind of situation?
74937
Specifically I'm wondering if there's a word that describes the phenomenon where some party takes some action to remedy a situation and the result of that action makes the original situation worse.  Recent examples that made me think about this:   The NFL suspended a journalist for editorializing a podcast in a way against the party line - the suspension brought the podcast into much more popular light and greatly increased public sympathy for the journalist. On Sunday, the protests in Hong Kong were apparently quite civilized, but the police crackdown/pepper spray movement dramatically increased public support for the protestors and the protests have only swelled in size &amp; support (to my understanding).   I'm wondering if there is a very succinct word for this phenomenon that has so far eluded me. I'm not even sure shooting yourself in the foot is a good saying to describe it.
46600
While browsing through some questions, I was reminded of a problem I encountered in an earlier point in work. I came up with something that could be technically called a solution to the problem, but I can't really say I am satisfied with it. I thought about asking the question on SO.  In effect, the question would read something like a more detailed version of "This was my problem. This is how I currently solved it. Is there a more appropriate/efficient method of accomplishing this goal?" I'm a bit unsure as to whether it'd be an appropriate question since it technically already has an accepted answer, especially if there is no "more appropriate/efficient method", then it seems questionable why I would even ask in the first place.  So, should I ask this kind question? On a related note, would it be better etiquette to include my current solution as part of the question body, or should it be appended as an answer?  Update  I am accepting quack's because . But I find all of the answers given to have been satisfactory, and a good learning. Thanks to everyone!
122487
Is it correct to write: "An agreement is imperative to tackling the problem"?  Or should it be: "An agreement is imperative to tackle the problem"?  Thanks
112258
As is, it sounds a bit awkward to me.  Let me try to incorporate what I am after into a sentence. Just as Bush once said "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator.", I would like to write something along these lines: "Double standard does not bother me for as long as I am the one engaging in/doing it".  It does not quite roll off the tongue. Hopefully there is a better way.
12950
For example, therapist may be split into the + rapist, neither of which (arguably) has anything to do with the original words.  Another example would be conflagration: con + flag + ration. Or weather: we + at + her.  Note that words like threesome and purebred would not qualify, because the parts are intentional and contribute to the original word's meaning.  It seems to me there might be a word for this, which I would describe as "accidental lexical componentry" — but I'm not sure there is one. And if I do think of one I will be sure to add a supplemental (supple + mental) section (sect + ion) to this question (quest + ion).
29106
I'm looking for a single word synonym of evasion, fudging or dodging the question that does not imply deceit in the answer (apart from possible awareness of the respondent that they are not actually answering the question, and perhaps an intent to divert the questioner to other topics).  Answers could be verbose or blunt non-sequiturs.  This is similar but not identical to "What do you call a response which does not address the question?" There answers have other connotations, such as a word or phrase for an inappropriate response (such as a "non sequitur"). This is a new question, which differs particularly in that I'm looking for a word that does not imply an intention to deceive.
13375
Somewhere I can put thinking problems? If you don't know what I mean by that, an example is . I'm not asking a place to put riddles or math problems, rather to put long problems (that are most words) that can be put in an Computer Science Olympiad for example. Not actually coding, rather logical and algorithmic problems.  I hope you understand what I mean...
76837
In an essay, a friend used the expression:       It wasn't that bad of an idea.    I think that it would be preferable to write       It wasn't that bad an idea   However, I can't explain why.
112076
Often times someone will tell a long winded story, and then someone will reply with something like "So basically you just had a bad day."  Another, I think better example is when someone will talk a lot about existentialism, and then someone else will reply with "So basically 'to be or not to be, that is the question.'"  Or another example, someone will talk about Cuban-American relations after the cold war, and someone will reply with "So basically America plugged their ears and pretended Cuba didn't exist."  I don't think the word 'oversimplify' is good enough, because it can actually increase the importance of something. For example "So basically if you don't recycle, everyone will die of global warming."
3697
Is there a phrase or word for a problem that appears simple but is in fact full of complexities?  A few situations come to mind:   Painting a room Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend Eating a pomegranate   ... and a million more. What to call these?
35818
Looking for a succinct way of describing the act of solidifying an idea into reality. "Building [idea] out" seems too generic but I'm trying to avoid a long winded, step by step explanation of the process.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
54309
Recently, when writing an email, I used the following phrase:  'I hope this does not cause too big of an issue'  However, in their response, the recipient (an English teacher) said that he was 'not too sure about the grammar of "too big of an issue"' (with no further comment). However,  seems to suggest otherwise. What could he have possibly picked out as incorrect in my usage of the phrase, and is it really significant enough of an issue to remark on in a response?  This question is not a duplicate because I'm asking about whether the phrase itself is correct, not the etymology of it. Further, it's considering the whole phrase (e.g can an issue be 'big', or should it be 'significant'?), and not just that one part.