this is not a walk in the park

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is not a walk in the park" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a task or situation is more difficult or challenging than it may seem. Example: "Completing this project on time is going to be tough; this is not a walk in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This wasn't a walk in the park or the perfect match.

The Guardian - Sport

This career is not a walk in the park.

Forbes

This area is not a walk in the park".

Vice

Roméo is not a walk in the park.

The New York Times - Arts

Life is not a walk in the park.

The New York Times

It is not a walk in the park but it is not too bad.

Independent

Even $100k is not a walk in the park with a mere 13percentt.

TechCrunch

Landing on another planet is not a walk in the park," the JPL director says.

BBC

"Life in prison is not a walk in the park.

Huffington Post

Being a lobbyist is not a walk in the park.

WikiHow

Executing your strategy is not a walk in the park.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is not a walk in the park" to underscore the effort and seriousness required for a task or situation, especially when expectations might be otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "this is not a walk in the park" when the situation only presents minor inconveniences. It should be reserved for genuinely challenging scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is not a walk in the park" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to emphasize that a task, situation, or experience is significantly more difficult or complex than it might initially appear. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates that something requires considerable effort and is far from easy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is not a walk in the park" is a widely recognized idiomatic expression used to convey that a situation is more difficult than it seems. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and informal settings. While it may not be suitable for the most formal or scientific writing, its meaning is readily understood, making it a versatile phrase for emphasizing the need for effort and realistic expectations. Alternatives like "this is no picnic" or "this is a challenge" can be used to similar effect depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is no picnic

Replaces 'walk in the park' with 'picnic' to convey the same sense of ease, but in a negative context.

this is not a piece of cake

Uses a different metaphor, 'piece of cake', to express the opposite of ease.

this is not easy

A more direct and less idiomatic way to express the difficulty of something.

this is a challenge

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the situation.

this is demanding

Highlights the demanding nature of the task or situation.

this is an uphill battle

Implies a continuous struggle against difficulties.

this is a tough task

Replaces 'walk in the park' with 'tough task' to express difficulty.

this is a Herculean effort

Emphasizes the immense effort required.

this is a labor of love

Suggests the task is difficult but rewarding.

this is fraught with difficulties

Highlights that a situation is filled with troubles and problems.

FAQs

How can I use "this is not a walk in the park" in a sentence?

You can use "this is not a walk in the park" to emphasize that something is difficult and requires significant effort. For example, "Launching a new business "is not a walk in the park"; it demands dedication and resilience."

What's a less common way to say "this is not a walk in the park"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this is no picnic", which carries a similar meaning but might be less frequently used.

Is it appropriate to use "this is not a walk in the park" in formal writing?

While widely understood, "this is not a walk in the park" is generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more direct language such as "this is a challenge" or "this is demanding".

What's the difference between "this is not a walk in the park" and "this is challenging"?

"This is not a walk in the park" is an idiomatic expression that implies something is more difficult than it appears, while "this is challenging" is a more straightforward statement about the level of difficulty.