Easier said than done meaning in English
Learn how to use Easier said than done correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
Easier said than done!: It's more difficult to do it than talk about it! It's easier to say it than to do it!
Examples
- "Icarus : That's easier said than done, Miss Belovin."
Exercise 1
You and your best friend are having a very serious discussion using only expressions used in the conversation you just heard!
Choose the most appropriate idiom to respond in each case. Choose the answers that make the most sense in the context of your discussion!
Friend: I've decided to ask Carla out on a date.
You: ! Don't you know her boyfriend is a ninja?
Friend: Yeah I know. Do you think it could be dangerous?
You: . I wouldn't take any chances if I were you.
Friend: Maybe you're right. So what are you doing after work?
You: I'm going on a date with Carla.
Friend: How dare you !
Choose the most appropriate idiom to respond in each case. Choose the answers that make the most sense in the context of your discussion!
Friend: I've decided to ask Carla out on a date.
You: ! Don't you know her boyfriend is a ninja?
Friend: Yeah I know. Do you think it could be dangerous?
You: . I wouldn't take any chances if I were you.
Friend: Maybe you're right. So what are you doing after work?
You: I'm going on a date with Carla.
Friend: How dare you !
You and your best friend are having a very serious discussion using only expressions used in the conversation you just heard!
Choose the most appropriate idiom to respond in each case. Choose the answers that make the most sense in the context of your discussion!
Friend: I've decided to ask Carla out on a date.
You: That's easier said than done 1! Don't you know her boyfriend is a ninja?
Friend: Yeah I know. Do you think it could be dangerous?
You: You can never be too careful 2. I wouldn't take any chances if I were you.
Friend: Maybe you're right. So what are you doing after work?
You: I'm going on a date with Carla.
Friend: How dare you go behind my back 3!
Choose the most appropriate idiom to respond in each case. Choose the answers that make the most sense in the context of your discussion!
Friend: I've decided to ask Carla out on a date.
You: That's easier said than done 1! Don't you know her boyfriend is a ninja?
Friend: Yeah I know. Do you think it could be dangerous?
You: You can never be too careful 2. I wouldn't take any chances if I were you.
Friend: Maybe you're right. So what are you doing after work?
You: I'm going on a date with Carla.
Friend: How dare you go behind my back 3!
1 That's easier said than done: This is the best choice here. The idiom "(that's) easier said than done" expresses that "doing" something is harder than "speaking" about doing it, or even that speaking about something is far easier than doing it. Example: Your suggestion to replace all the old computers with brand new ones is easier said than done.
1 How dare you go behind my back: This isn't the best choice here. "To go behind someone's back" is to do something without the knowledge of someone else. For example: I told him not to send the email, but he went ahead and sent it behind my back, without telling anyone. "How dare you (speak to me like this)" is a construction which expresses surprise and anger on the part of the speaker. This expression is often used to describe the indignation of the speaker at an action which was inappropriate, disrespectful or out of place.
1 Well, if you put it that way: This isn't the best choice here. "If you put it that way..." is an expression used to comment upon the way something (such as an argument or information) has been presented or delivered. For example: -Living in a confined space adds structure and discipline to your life. -If you put it that way, going to prison sounds desirable! This expression is often used to point out that the way that something is said is either subjective, biased, or sometimes even convincing.
2 You can never be too careful: This is the best choice here. "You can never be too careful" is an expression which encourages caution or prudence in actions. The construction "you can never be too + adjective" expresses that there is ALWAYS a need for something. For example: You can never be too cautious when it comes to bears.
2 I find that hard to believe: This isn't the best choice here. "To find something hard to believe" is to doubt the veracity or truthfulness of a topic. For example: I found his explanation about his sick grandmother hard to believe.
2 I suppose it's the thing to do: This isn't the best choice here. "I suppose it's the thing to do" is a statement which expresses the speaker's (reluctant) decision to go forward with an action. For example: I don't want to fire her, but I suppose it's the thing to do.
3 go behind my back: This is the best choice here. "To go behind someone's back" is to do something without the knowledge of someone else. For example: I told him not to send the email, but he went ahead and sent it behind my back, without telling anyone. "How dare you (speak to me like this)" is a construction which expresses surprise and anger on the part of the speaker. This expression is often used to describe the indignation of the speaker at an action which was inappropriate, disrespectful or out of place, such as flirting with a girl that your friend is interested in.
3 think it was all about peace and love back then: This isn't the best choice here. Expressions which include "back then" or "back in those days" are often used to express nostalgia or affection for times past. For example: Back in my father's time, a quarter was worth a dollar, and a dollar was worth 10 dollars, and 10 dollars, that was worth like... a billion dollars.
3 think there's anything to worry about: This isn't the best choice here. This expression doesn't belong in the context of this conversation.
Exercise 2
Susie uses the expression when hell freezes over in response to Philip's offer of dinner and drinks.
Choose the phrase from the list below which could replace Susie's expression "when hell freezes over", without changing the meaning.
Choose the phrase from the list below which could replace Susie's expression "when hell freezes over", without changing the meaning.
Susie uses the expression when hell freezes over in response to Philip's offer of dinner and drinks.
Choose the phrase from the list below which could replace Susie's expression "when hell freezes over", without changing the meaning.
Choose the phrase from the list below which could replace Susie's expression "when hell freezes over", without changing the meaning.
The idiom "easier said than done" means that doing something is harder than speaking about doing it. Example: Your suggestion to replace all the old computers with brand new ones is easier said than done. "Easier said than done" does not share a similar meaning with "when hell freezes over".
The idiom "when all hell breaks loose" refers to a moment when things become "extremely chaotic" or "order is completely lost". Example: The first shots were fired, then all hell broke loose, and I couldn't understand what was happening. "When all hell breaks loose" does not share a similar meaning with "when hell freezes over".
We use the idiom "when hell freezes over" to indicate that there is absolutely no chance that something will happen. As everyone knows, hell is extremely hot. The chances of hell having cold weather or "freezing over" is extremely unlikely. In this conversation, Susie is expressing that she would never consider the possibility of having dinner and drinks with Philip. Susie's idiom shares a similar meaning with the expression: "Not if you were the last man on earth" which expresses the same sense of near impossibility.
The idiom "a leopard can't change his spots" means that someone cannot change their nature. Example: My overweight father refuses to stop eating meat. I guess a leopard can't change his spots. "A leopard can't change his spots" does not share a similar meaning with "when hell freezes over".
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