everything but easy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything but easy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing something with other things that are challenging in comparison. For example, "Climbing the mountain was a great experience, but it wasn't everything but easy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But the journey to the top is everything but easy as too often young people do not have access to a place to play and practice sports.

Huffington Post

At the meeting social work experts agree that becoming a friend to a child from a different social and educational background, in some cases from a different ethnic community and opposite sex, and, in virtually every case involving a child with specific vulnerabilities, is everything but easy.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But everything is easy in hindsight.

Los Angeles Times

Dawson commented that Darren and Jack are so desperate that "everything seemed easy", but added that they realise their actions were making the situation worse.

Wikipedia

"The first time it was kinda hard, because I didn't know any panglong, but everything is easy now," Abdul told me.

Vice

He encourages me to forget everything, but it is not easy for me.

The Guardian

This country cannot do everything, but there are relatively easy steps to take against the evil in Sudan.

The New York Times

"Isis are looking to destroy everything, but this is not easy," he says.

BBC

You still have to use text commands for everything, but the instructions are easy to summon if you type in "@fbchess help".

Huffington Post

This past Saturday, Manchester United played West Ham United and it was everything but the smooth-sailing, easy victory that the Red Devils' fans would expect.

Huffington Post

But if everything was easy, worked the first time, was easily interpreted, and gave reproducible results, it wouldn't be research.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everything but easy" to subtly highlight the unexpected challenges in a situation, adding nuance beyond a simple statement of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "everything but easy" when you actually mean something was overwhelmingly difficult. The phrase implies the presence of some ease, even if minimal. If there was no ease whatsoever, choose a stronger, more direct expression of difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything but easy" functions as an adjective phrase, often used to describe a situation or task. It qualifies a subject by indicating that it possesses all characteristics except ease. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to compare with other, more challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "everything but easy" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe situations that are challenging but not entirely devoid of simpler elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies a subtle acknowledgment of difficulty rather than a straightforward statement of complete hardship. Its neutral register makes it versatile for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, business, and general writing. Alternatives like "anything but simple" or "far from straightforward" can provide more formal or nuanced ways of expressing similar sentiments. Remember to use "everything but easy" when you want to convey that a situation has aspects of difficulty while possibly retaining elements of manageability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anything but simple

This alternative emphasizes the complexity of a situation, rather than merely stating it's not easy.

far from straightforward

This phrase highlights the lack of directness and simplicity.

not a walk in the park

This idiom uses a contrasting image to describe the situation with lightheartedness.

anything but a breeze

Similar to "not a walk in the park", this phrase uses a breezy metaphor to create a contrasting image.

challenging to say the least

This alternative directly states that something is challenging and implies it might even be more difficult than 'challenging'.

downright difficult

This phrase emphasizes the level of difficulty involved.

tough going

This alternative offers a shorter, more informal way of expressing difficulty.

demanding in every aspect

This alternative stresses how the activity requires a lot of resources and/or efforts.

fraught with difficulty

This option uses a more formal and literary tone, highlighting the presence of problems.

not without its hurdles

This phrase recognizes the obstacles that one must surpass, while being more neutral.

FAQs

How can I use "everything but easy" in a sentence?

You can use "everything but easy" to describe a situation that, while not simple, has elements that are manageable or straightforward. For example, "The project was challenging, /s/anything+but+simple, but we learned a lot".

What's a more formal alternative to "everything but easy"?

For a more formal alternative, consider phrases like "/s/far+from+straightforward" or "/s/fraught+with+difficulty". These options add a layer of sophistication to your expression.

Is "everything but easy" an idiom?

"Everything but easy" is not a traditional idiom but a common expression. Although it's not a classic idiom, its meaning is easily understood in context and it's widely used.

What is the difference between "everything but easy" and "not easy"?

"Not easy" is a direct statement of difficulty. "Everything but easy" implies that despite the difficulty, there might be some aspects that are simpler or more manageable. It's a nuanced way of acknowledging both challenge and potential ease.