easier said than done
Sounds simple, isn't
Easier said than done acknowledges that something sounds simple but proves difficult in practice.
The phrase typically responds to advice or suggestions that overlook real-world complications: "Just tell her how you feel." "Easier said than done."
Difficult to understand
- challengingHard to accomplish
- demandingRequiring great effort
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
- laboriousRequiring considerable effort
daunting · formidable · uphill battle · overwhelming · insurmountable · impractical · unfeasible · ambitious
Explanatory set of principles
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- intentionPlanned purpose for acting
- executionCompleting a planned task
- planningArranging for future events
implementation · promise · delivery · aspiration · reality · expectation · outcome · idealism
Insincere expression of agreement
- empty wordsInsincere, meaningless talk
- armchair expertOne who opines without experience
- backseat driverPassenger offering unsolicited advice
- all talkPromises without follow-through
talk is cheap · grandstanding · posturing · pontificating · glib · superficial · naïve · simplistic
Recognition after the fact
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- rude awakeningStartling unpleasant realization
- humblingDiminishing one's pride
eye-opener · learning curve · trial and error · growing pains · baptism by fire · reality check · moment of truth · disillusionment
Traditional pithy truth
- truismStatement needing no proof
- proverbTraditional saying expressing truth
- maximBrief moral principle
- axiomSelf-evident starting principle
aphorism · dictum · platitude · cliché · folk wisdom · common sense · life lesson · hard truth
complicated
Difficult to understand
- challengingHard to accomplish
- demandingRequiring great effort
- arduousDemanding strenuous effort
laborious · daunting · formidable · uphill battle · overwhelming · insurmountable · impractical · unfeasible · ambitious · optimistic
theory
Explanatory set of principles
- practiceRepeated work toward mastery
- intentionPlanned purpose for acting
- executionCompleting a planned task
planning · implementation · promise · delivery · aspiration · reality · expectation · outcome · idealism · pragmatism
lip service
Insincere expression of agreement
- empty wordsInsincere, meaningless talk
- armchair expertOne who opines without experience
- backseat driverPassenger offering unsolicited advice
talk is cheap · all talk · grandstanding · posturing · pontificating · glib · superficial · naïve · simplistic · overconfident
hindsight
Recognition after the fact
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- rude awakeningStartling unpleasant realization
humbling · eye-opener · learning curve · trial and error · growing pains · baptism by fire · reality check · moment of truth · disillusionment · sobering
adage
Traditional pithy truth
- truismStatement needing no proof
- proverbTraditional saying expressing truth
- maximBrief moral principle
axiom · aphorism · dictum · platitude · cliché · folk wisdom · common sense · life lesson · hard truth · reality check
easier said than doneeasy as pie
Extremely simple to accomplish
child's play · a walk in the park · piece of cake · a breeze · no sweat
easier said than doneactions speak louder than words
Deeds reveal character better
second nature · walks the walk · walk the walk · instinctive
easier, easiest, easing, eased, easily, easiness, uneasily, uneasiness, saying