Meaning

When something is "easier said than done", it sounds simple when you describe it, but doing it is hard. Saying "save more money" takes two seconds; actually saving it takes months of saying no to things. The phrase points at that gap between the words and the work.

You put it after the task: "Losing weight is easier said than done", "Finding an apartment in New York is easier said than done." It is neutral and works anywhere, from a chat with a friend to a meeting about a tough goal. It doesn't mean the thing is impossible, only that it will take real effort. A later lesson in this unit covers the short reply, "That's easier said than done."

In a conversation

FatimaSora
  1. Fatima
  2. Sora
  3. Fatima
  4. Sora
  5. Fatima
  6. Sora

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1"Getting a good night's sleep is easier said than done." What does this mean?
2Why does Fatima say turning her phone off is easier said than done?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line. The phrase has a bouncing rhythm: EAS-ier SAID than DONE. Hit the three strong beats.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.