一时半刻

• 一(first; number one (pictographic))ASSOCIATIVE

A single horizontal stroke symbolizes the number one, the beginning of all things.

• 日(sun; day)RADICAL
• 寸(inch; unit of measurement)PHONETIC

Time flows like the sun moving inch by inch across the sky.

• 丷(two diagonal strokes; division in half)ASSOCIATIVE
• 牛(cow; cattle)ASSOCIATIVE

Using a knife to split a cow in half equally shows the meaning of 半 (half).

• 亥(twelfth earthly branch (pig))PHONETIC
• 刂(blade; knife edge)RADICAL

Using a knife to carve into a surface creates a deep mark.