“Easier said than done” is the proverb that marks the gap between talking and doing. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its realism.
What Does “Easier Said Than Done” Mean?
The proverb means that something is much simpler to suggest or talk about than it is to actually carry out. A plan or piece of advice may sound straightforward in words, but putting it into practice often proves far harder than it seemed. It is most often said in reply to glib advice or an airy suggestion — a gentle reminder that telling someone what to do is one thing, and doing it yourself is quite another.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying is very old. It first appears in print in 1483, in a schoolbook called Vulgaria, in the form “it is easyer to saye than do.” John Heywood included a version (“better said than done”) in his 1546 collection of English proverbs, and by the nineteenth century the modern wording, “easier said than done,” had become standard. The gap between fine words and hard action has clearly struck people as worth noting for more than five hundred years.
Examples in a Sentence
- “‘Just stay calm,’ he said — easier said than done.”
- “Quitting sugar is easier said than done.”
- “Telling me to relax before the exam is easier said than done.”
Similar Proverbs
- Actions speak louder than words — doing matters more than saying.
- It is one thing to say and another to do — a plainer form of the same idea.
- Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out — the Italian version.
- Talk is cheap — words cost nothing; deeds are what count.
For more sayings about words and deeds, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “easier said than done” mean?
It means that something is much simpler to suggest or talk about than it is to actually do.
Where does the proverb come from?
It first appears in print in 1483 as “it is easyer to saye than do,” and the modern form became standard by the nineteenth century.
What is a similar proverb?
“Actions speak louder than words” and “talk is cheap” share the same point that doing is harder, and matters more, than saying.