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Region: General | Usage example: Fixing that error is easier said than done.

Easier said than done

Meaning

Harder to do than to talk about.

Usage

Used to caution against oversimplifying tasks.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Contrast between talking and action.

Appears in Latin proverbs and later English ones.

Related Idioms

Bite off more than you can chew

Take on more responsibilities than you can handle.

Better late than never

Doing something after the ideal time is still better than failing to do it at all.

Blood is thicker than water

Family ties are stronger than other relationships.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.