no simple feat

USAGE SUMMARY

"no simple feat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express the idea of something that is difficult to achieve. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest is no simple feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Shifting stereotypes is no simple feat.

Cornell University

As anyone who has ever married knows, planning a wedding is no simple feat.

The New York Times

Squeezing one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies into a tight 90 minutes is no simple feat.

The New York Times

Even before the cardinal became ill, running the archdiocese was no simple feat.

The New York Times

The key is finding a balance between looks and performance, which is no simple feat, Mr. Satkiewicz says.

The New York Times

Still, that is no simple feat, given the band of jumpy pirates on board and the half-dozen American and European naval vessels circling the freighter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

There are no simple feats of mixology here.

HuffPost

That is no "simple-minded" feat.

The New York Times

It is a simple feat of scientific electrical engineering, only expensive, he wrote.

The New York Times

As an English person living in New York, I find myself in the odd position of frequently receiving compliments for the simple feat of having a voice.

The New Yorker

"I want you to hate him, but I don't want that to be a simple feat," Mr. Lithgow said recently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no simple feat" to underscore the difficulty of an achievement, especially when acknowledging the effort or skill involved.

Common error

Avoid using "no simple feat" for minor inconveniences; reserve it for genuinely demanding accomplishments. Using it too casually diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no simple feat" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied or stated noun (the accomplishment, the task, etc.). It describes the accomplishment by emphasizing its difficulty, a claim supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no simple feat" is a common phrase used to underscore the difficulty of an accomplishment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in News & Media sources, yet its usage extends to academia as well. Alternatives include "no easy task" or "quite a challenge". When using the phrase, ensure the accomplishment is genuinely demanding to avoid diminishing its impact. The phrase effectively communicates the effort, skill, or complexity involved and is deemed appropriate in diverse registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no easy task

Replaces 'feat' with 'task' emphasizing the work involved.

not a piece of cake

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey difficulty.

no walk in the park

Another idiomatic expression indicating a challenging situation.

quite a challenge

Highlights the challenging nature of the undertaking.

a difficult undertaking

Replaces 'feat' with 'undertaking' to emphasize the project aspect.

not a straightforward matter

Focuses on the lack of simplicity or directness.

demands considerable effort

Emphasizes the effort required.

requires significant skill

Highlights the skill necessary to succeed.

a complex endeavor

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the activity.

presents a considerable hurdle

Highlights the obstacle-like quality of the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "no simple feat" to emphasize the difficulty of an accomplishment, such as: "Completing the marathon was "no simple feat"." or "Negotiating the contract was "no simple feat"."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "no simple feat"?

Alternatives to "no simple feat" include "no easy task", "quite a challenge", or "a difficult undertaking". The best choice depends on the context.

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

Yes, "no simple feat" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though more formal contexts may prefer alternatives like "a complex endeavor".

What is the difference between "no simple feat" and "no mean feat"?

"No simple feat" emphasizes the ease with which something might be assumed to be done, whereas "no mean feat" highlights the significance or impressiveness of the accomplishment.