no mean task

USAGE SUMMARY

"no mean task" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a task or challenge that is difficult, significant, or impressive. Example: "Building a successful business empire from scratch was no mean task for the young entrepreneur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's no mean task".

The New Yorker

This is no mean task.

Harvard Business Review

Establishing and running a charity is no mean task.

The Guardian

The work, he said, "was no mean task.

Independent

That was no mean task, given that most are themselves presidents of their countries' central banks, with their own administrations to command and constituencies to serve.

The New York Times

Trying to account for this "exception française" is no mean task, but I suspect it has something to do with the elevation of art to the status of surrogate religion during the second half of the 19th century.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

That is no mean computing task.The power of thoughtBoth Emotiv, which is based in San Francisco, and NeuroSky, of San Jose, think they have cracked these problems.

The Economist

Moreover, the mean activity patterns did not follow the pattern of the mean task performances (Fig. 1c).

Nature

Neuroendocrine reactivity was calculated as the change from epinephrine and norepinephrine values from mean rest to mean task.

Duke University

In the simulations, we set E i to the mean task size divided by the mean resource speed.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Mean task accuracy was 96.1% (standard error of the mean, SEM, 2.4).

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no mean task" to underscore the significance and difficulty of a project or endeavor, especially when you want to highlight the skills or effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using "no mean task" for trivial or everyday activities. Reserve it for situations that genuinely present a considerable challenge or require noteworthy expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no mean task" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize that a particular task is not easy, simple, or insignificant. It suggests that the task requires considerable effort, skill, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"No mean task" is a common idiomatic expression used to emphasize the difficulty and significance of a particular task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, suitable for highlighting undertakings that require considerable effort or skill. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase conveys that a task should not be underestimated. To avoid overuse, reserve it for situations that genuinely present a considerable challenge. Synonymous alternatives such as "significant challenge" or "considerable undertaking" can be used to vary your language. Remember, while grammatically sound, context is key to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no small feat

Similar in tone and meaning, using "feat" to emphasize accomplishment.

significant challenge

Focuses on the difficulty implied by "no mean task", using more common vocabulary.

considerable undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and commitment involved in the task.

substantial endeavor

Highlights the effort and purpose behind the task, sounding slightly more formal.

difficult assignment

Directly states the difficulty of the task, suitable for less formal contexts.

formidable challenge

Stresses the intimidating nature of the task.

arduous undertaking

Emphasizes the strenuous effort required, sounding more formal and literary.

demanding job

Highlights the high level of effort required.

tough proposition

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task.

not a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "no mean task" in a sentence?

You can use "no mean task" to emphasize the difficulty or impressiveness of a task. For example, "Building a successful company is no mean task".

What's a more common alternative to "no mean task"?

Alternatives include "significant challenge", "considerable undertaking", or "difficult assignment", depending on the context.

Is "no mean feat" the same as "no mean task"?

"No mean feat" is very similar to "no mean task", both implying that something is difficult and requires skill. The term "no mean feat" often refers to an accomplishment, while "no mean task" focuses on the effort involved.

When is it appropriate to use "no mean task" in writing?

Use "no mean task" when you want to highlight that a particular task is not easy or simple. It's suitable for describing projects, assignments, or endeavors that require considerable effort, skill, or dedication.