Easier said than done

Meaning

"Easier said than done" is an idiom that means something is easier to say or plan than it is to actually do or accomplish. It suggests that words are cheap and anyone can propose a solution, but putting those words into action requires effort and skill. The phrase implies that the speaker is skeptical of what someone has suggested because while it may sound simple, in reality, it is more complicated.

Usage

• "It's easy to talk about fixing the economy, but actually doing something about it is another matter entirely."
• "I know I should start exercising, but it's so much harder than I thought it would be."
• "The boss said we could finish this project in a week, but I think it will take us at least two weeks."
• "I love the idea of starting a business, but I don't know if I have what it takes to make it successful."
• "People always say they want to travel more, but actually booking a trip and making it happen can be quite difficult."

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the idiom "easier said than done" dates back to 16th century England. It was first recorded in a collection of proverbs in 1548 by John Heywood, who wrote, "Better said than done." The meaning of the phrase has remained relatively consistent over time, but its usage has evolved with changes in society and culture.

Synonyms in English

• "All talk and no action"
• "Just words"
• "Talk is cheap"
• "Barking up the wrong tree"
• "Sounds good on paper"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Easy come, easy go" - This phrase means that something is easily obtained but just as easily lost.
• Spanish: "Tengo un plan perfecto para hacerlo todo mejor" - This phrase translates to "I have a perfect plan to do it better," which suggests that someone has proposed an easy solution but the speaker is skeptical.
• German: "Einfach, einfach!" - This phrase means "It's so simple!" and is often used in a sarcastic manner to suggest that something is not as easy as it sounds.
• Italian: "È facile dire che..." - This phrase translates to "It's easy to say that..." and is often used to introduce a statement that the speaker believes is oversimplifying a complex issue.
• Russian: "Разумно, но не сразу" - This phrase means "That makes sense, but not right away" and suggests that while something may sound like a good idea on paper, it will take time and effort to make it happen in reality.

Similar Idioms

• early days

• zip it

• beck and call