low-hanging fruit

USAGE SUMMARY

"low-hanging fruit" is a correct expression in written English.
It is often used figuratively to mean an opportunity that is easily achievable or available. For instance, you could say: "We found a lot of low-hanging fruit in the first phase of our project, which allowed us to make quick progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, identify low-hanging fruit.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The low-hanging fruit is already picked.

The Economist

"Geographical expansion is low-hanging fruit.

The New York Times

The low-hanging fruit is gone.

The Economist

Here there is low-hanging fruit.

The Economist

It was pretty low-hanging fruit, actually.

The New York Times - Science

These are called low-hanging fruit.

American Journal of Infection Control

GAZETTE: You mentioned low-hanging fruit.

Harvard University

9. Pick the low-hanging fruit.

The New York Times - Travel

So they're the obvious low-hanging fruit".

The Guardian - Film

So that's the low-hanging fruit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "low-hanging fruit" when you want to emphasize the ease of achieving a particular goal or obtaining a specific benefit. It's particularly effective in business contexts to highlight readily available opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "low-hanging fruit" repeatedly in the same text. While it's a vivid image, overuse can make your writing seem cliché and unoriginal. Vary your language by using synonyms like "quick win" or "easy target" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low-hanging fruit" functions as a noun, specifically an idiom. It metaphorically refers to something that is easily attainable or achievable. Ludwig examples show it being used to identify readily available opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "low-hanging fruit" is a common and useful phrase for describing easily achievable goals or opportunities. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, it's frequently used in news, academia, and business to highlight readily available options. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse to maintain a professional tone. Remember that, while versatile, more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain writing situations. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct in written English and often used figuratively to mean an opportunity that is easily achievable or available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy pickings

Similar in tone, suggesting effortless selection.

quick win

Emphasizes the speed and benefit of the achievement.

readily available opportunity

Highlights accessibility as the defining characteristic.

low effort task

Highlights the simplicity and reduced work needed.

most accessible option

Emphasizes the ease of access and implementation.

easy target

Focuses on vulnerability rather than ease of achievement.

obvious solution

Focuses on the straightforward nature of the resolution.

effortless achievement

Underscores the minimal effort required.

first step

Focuses on initiating progress with ease.

simple task

Highlights the lack of complexity.

FAQs

What does "low-hanging fruit" mean?

The phrase "low-hanging fruit" refers to easily achievable goals or opportunities that require minimal effort to obtain. It's often used in business and project management to describe tasks that can be quickly completed to show early progress.

How can I use "low-hanging fruit" in a sentence?

You can use "low-hanging fruit" to describe easily attainable goals. For example: "Our initial strategy focused on the "easy pickings", allowing us to demonstrate immediate success."

What are some alternatives to saying "low-hanging fruit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quick win", "easy target", or "readily available opportunity".

Is it appropriate to use "low-hanging fruit" in formal writing?

While "low-hanging fruit" is widely understood, it's best suited for less formal contexts. In formal writing, consider using a more direct and professional alternative, such as "most accessible option" or "readily available opportunity".