no easy feat

USAGE SUMMARY

'no easy feat' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase means that something is very difficult to achieve. You can use this phrase when something is particularly challenging to accomplish. For example, "Getting the team to work together in harmony is no easy feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boom! Boom! Boom!—no easy feat, as the ceiling was nine feet high.

Britannica

It's no easy feat.

The New York Times - Arts

That is no easy feat.

The Guardian - Sport

And it was no easy feat.

The New York Times

Detecting breaches is no easy feat.

Independent

But that is no easy feat.

The New York Times

Travelling to Kiribati is no easy feat.

The Guardian - Sport

But that was no easy feat.

The New York Times - Arts

Recreating the experience of synaesthesia is no easy feat.

Independent

"Qualifying for Team England will be no easy feat.

Independent

"It's definitely no easy feat," Williams said of Sharapova.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no easy feat" to underscore the difficulty of an achievement, especially when acknowledging effort and skill. For example, "Completing the project on time was "no easy feat", given the tight deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "no easy feat" for routine or trivial tasks. Reserve it for situations that genuinely require significant effort and skill to avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no easy feat" functions as a noun phrase functioning as a predicate nominative or appositive, emphasizing the difficulty of a particular task or accomplishment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no easy feat" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize the difficulty of an achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media" highlights its suitability for various contexts. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, consider your audience and the context to ensure it effectively conveys the intended meaning. Remember to use it when you really want to stress the difficulty of the situation. Consider related phrases like "not a walk in the park" or "difficult task" for slight variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a piece of cake

Replaces "feat" with a more informal idiom, changing the tone.

not a walk in the park

Substitutes "feat" with another common idiom, slightly altering the imagery.

a challenging task

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more straightforward description of difficulty.

a difficult undertaking

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the demanding nature of the task.

requires considerable effort

Shifts the focus to the amount of effort needed.

demands a great deal of skill

Emphasizes the skill component of the task.

presents significant difficulties

Highlights the obstacles involved in the task.

is far from simple

Understates the difficulty, using a more understated tone.

is no mean achievement

Uses a more formal tone, focusing on the accomplishment aspect.

takes a lot of doing

Employs a more colloquial expression to indicate the extensive effort required.

FAQs

How can I use "no easy feat" in a sentence?

You can use "no easy feat" to emphasize the difficulty of achieving something. For instance, "Negotiating the contract terms was "no easy feat", given the conflicting interests of all parties involved."

What's a simpler way to say "no easy feat"?

If you want a simpler alternative, consider using phrases like "difficult task", "challenging", or "not easy". However, keep in mind that these alternatives might not convey the same level of emphasis as "no easy feat".

What phrases are similar to "no easy feat"?

Similar phrases include "not a walk in the park", "not a piece of cake", or "a difficult undertaking". These options offer different shades of meaning and formality.

Is it appropriate to use "no easy feat" in formal writing?

Yes, "no easy feat" is generally appropriate in formal writing, especially when acknowledging a significant achievement or challenge. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing. If you're aiming for a highly formal or technical tone, consider using a more direct alternative, such as "challenging task" or "difficult endeavor".