When she got a smaller bonus than expected, she consoled herself with the thought that half a loaf is better than no loaf.
Когда она получила меньший бонус, чем ожидалось, она утешила себя мыслью, что лучше полбулки, чем ничего.
Definitions
This phrase means that it is better to receive or accept less than what one wants or expects, rather than getting nothing at all. It encourages appreciating partial success or a small gain instead of being dissatisfied with not getting everything.