half-apologetic

Coe, battling obesity and planted firmly on a stool for nearly two hours Thursday, is half-apologetic, half-defiant.

Exiled from Nashville, ribald David Allan Coe can still laugh at his lyrics Scott Galupo 2011

Coe, battling obesity and planted firmly on a stool for nearly two hours Thursday, is half-apologetic, half-defiant.

In concert: David Allan Coe at Cancun Cantina Scott Galupo 2011

I began, half-apologetic, and then I gave him the coup de trois story, plain and matter-of-fact, but with dark doubt hovering over every word, and was gratified to see Coventry's face growing long as a coffin, Williams frowning in disbelief, and the light of hope fading from Bertie's bloodshot ogles.

Watershed 2010

So we did nothing, just tilted our heads in a half-apologetic fashion to the woman and left it at that.

Sealing Their Fate David Downing 2009

He grinned at her and dropped a half-apologetic, half-mocking shrug.

Cassandra Clare: The Mortal Instrument Series Cassandra Clare 2009

No need for laxatives or other gimmickry, or even half-apologetic "not meaning to be a jerk" comments.

How To Handle Kitchen Thieves | Lifehacker Australia 2009

He grinned at her and dropped a half-apologetic, half-mocking shrug.

The Mortal Instruments: Book One: City of Bones Cassandra Clare 2007

This she said in a half-apologetic manner, and yet with a feeling of anger at herself that she should condescend to apologize to any one as to her own conduct in her own house.

The Three Clerks 2004

Six months later Jackson would have smiled in his half-apologetic way for taking so seriously the operation against Front Royal; but in the spring of 1862 he still was comparatively inexperienced in planning.

LEE’S LIEUTENANTS DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN 2001

Six months later Jackson would have smiled in his half-apologetic way for taking so seriously the operation against Front Royal; but in the spring of 1862 he still was comparatively inexperienced in planning.

LEE’S LIEUTENANTS DOUGLAS SOUTHALL FREEMAN 2001