keresztülkasul

Keresztülkasul is a Hungarian term that translates literally to "through the furrow" or "across the furrow." In its most common and figurative usage, it describes an action or process that is done in a careless, haphazard, or superficial manner, without proper attention to detail or thoroughness. It implies a lack of discipline and a tendency to rush through tasks without achieving a satisfactory or complete result.

The phrase often evokes the image of someone quickly and perhaps clumsily plowing a field, leaving uneven rows and missed patches of soil. This visual metaphor is applied to various situations, such as completing a piece of work hastily, reading a document without comprehending its content, or engaging in a conversation without truly listening.

To do something "keresztülkasul" means to do it poorly, without dedication, or with a dismissive attitude towards quality. It is the opposite of meticulousness or careful execution. While the term itself is not inherently negative, it generally carries a connotation of imperfection and a missed opportunity for better performance. It can be used to describe the way someone might approach a difficult problem with insufficient effort or to explain why a particular outcome is less than ideal.