事半功倍

half the work, twice the effect (idiom); the right approach saves effort and leads to better results / a stitch in time saves nine

matter / thing / item / work / affair / CL:件[jian4],樁|桩[zhuang1],回[hui2]

half / semi- / incomplete / (after a number) and a half

meritorious deed or service / achievement / result / service / accomplishment / work (physics)

(two, three etc) -fold / times (multiplier) / double / to increase or multiply