Is there a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem?












0















I remember my lecturer a few years ago using a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix (e.g. if a football team keeps losing games, everyone looks at the problem and goes "oh, well just replace the coach and that'll fix it", when in reality the problem is much more complex/nuanced than that).



Hopefully someone can help!










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  • That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

    – KannE
    2 hours ago













  • One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

    – remarkl
    2 hours ago


















0















I remember my lecturer a few years ago using a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix (e.g. if a football team keeps losing games, everyone looks at the problem and goes "oh, well just replace the coach and that'll fix it", when in reality the problem is much more complex/nuanced than that).



Hopefully someone can help!










share|improve this question







New contributor




Steven is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

    – KannE
    2 hours ago













  • One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

    – remarkl
    2 hours ago
















0












0








0








I remember my lecturer a few years ago using a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix (e.g. if a football team keeps losing games, everyone looks at the problem and goes "oh, well just replace the coach and that'll fix it", when in reality the problem is much more complex/nuanced than that).



Hopefully someone can help!










share|improve this question







New contributor




Steven is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I remember my lecturer a few years ago using a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix (e.g. if a football team keeps losing games, everyone looks at the problem and goes "oh, well just replace the coach and that'll fix it", when in reality the problem is much more complex/nuanced than that).



Hopefully someone can help!







single-word-requests phrases expressions






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asked 6 hours ago









StevenSteven

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  • That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

    – KannE
    2 hours ago













  • One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

    – remarkl
    2 hours ago





















  • That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

    – KannE
    2 hours ago













  • One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

    – remarkl
    2 hours ago



















That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

– KannE
2 hours ago







That's just the tip of the iceberg also means that a problem goes deeper (is more involved), not just that it's larger. See comment under accepted answer to this other question for a better explanation: english.stackexchange.com/questions/49609/….

– KannE
2 hours ago















One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

– remarkl
2 hours ago







One approach can be found wrestled to submission here: english.stackexchange.com/questions/25013/…

– remarkl
2 hours ago












4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















1














Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."






share|improve this answer































    1














    Some examples are:




    1. 'there's more to this than meets the eye'


    2. 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'







    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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    • #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

      – k1eran
      3 hours ago



















    1














    "Easier said than done" is a current saying for a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix.




    If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it. Collins





    • Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

    • I know I should stop thinking of her, but that's easier said than done.






    share|improve this answer


























    • I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

      – Jim
      3 hours ago



















    0














    It’s harder than it seems/looks/appears/etc.



    For example




    Enjoying the Moment: It’s Harder Than It Seems.

    - https://psychcentral.com/lib/enjoying-the-moment-its-harder-than-it-seems/







    share|improve this answer

























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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      1














      Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
      Or "It's anything but child's play."






      share|improve this answer




























        1














        Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
        Or "It's anything but child's play."






        share|improve this answer


























          1












          1








          1







          Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
          Or "It's anything but child's play."






          share|improve this answer













          Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
          Or "It's anything but child's play."







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 6 hours ago









          Raghda YousefRaghda Yousef

          934




          934

























              1














              Some examples are:




              1. 'there's more to this than meets the eye'


              2. 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.





















              • #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

                – k1eran
                3 hours ago
















              1














              Some examples are:




              1. 'there's more to this than meets the eye'


              2. 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.





















              • #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

                – k1eran
                3 hours ago














              1












              1








              1







              Some examples are:




              1. 'there's more to this than meets the eye'


              2. 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'







              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.










              Some examples are:




              1. 'there's more to this than meets the eye'


              2. 'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'








              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.









              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer






              New contributor




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              answered 6 hours ago









              Alaz TetikAlaz Tetik

              211




              211




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              New contributor





              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






              Alaz Tetik is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.













              • #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

                – k1eran
                3 hours ago



















              • #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

                – k1eran
                3 hours ago

















              #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

              – k1eran
              3 hours ago





              #1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?

              – k1eran
              3 hours ago











              1














              "Easier said than done" is a current saying for a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix.




              If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it. Collins





              • Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

              • I know I should stop thinking of her, but that's easier said than done.






              share|improve this answer


























              • I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

                – Jim
                3 hours ago
















              1














              "Easier said than done" is a current saying for a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix.




              If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it. Collins





              • Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

              • I know I should stop thinking of her, but that's easier said than done.






              share|improve this answer


























              • I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

                – Jim
                3 hours ago














              1












              1








              1







              "Easier said than done" is a current saying for a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix.




              If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it. Collins





              • Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

              • I know I should stop thinking of her, but that's easier said than done.






              share|improve this answer















              "Easier said than done" is a current saying for a seemingly easy problem that is actually quite hard to fix.




              If you say that something is easier said than done, you are emphasizing that although it sounds like a good idea in theory, you think it would be difficult to actually do it. Collins





              • Avoiding mosquito bites is easier said than done.

              • I know I should stop thinking of her, but that's easier said than done.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 5 hours ago

























              answered 6 hours ago









              CentaurusCentaurus

              38.6k31125246




              38.6k31125246













              • I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

                – Jim
                3 hours ago



















              • I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

                – Jim
                3 hours ago

















              I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

              – Jim
              3 hours ago





              I think of this applying when what is said is actually what should be done, but it’s not as easy to actually do: “To walk on a tight-rope just keep your balance and stay on top of the rope.” or Monty Python’s to play a flute just blow in one end and move your fingers up and down on the other end. OP is asking for something where the “obvious/trivial answer” is not the real answer.

              – Jim
              3 hours ago











              0














              It’s harder than it seems/looks/appears/etc.



              For example




              Enjoying the Moment: It’s Harder Than It Seems.

              - https://psychcentral.com/lib/enjoying-the-moment-its-harder-than-it-seems/







              share|improve this answer






























                0














                It’s harder than it seems/looks/appears/etc.



                For example




                Enjoying the Moment: It’s Harder Than It Seems.

                - https://psychcentral.com/lib/enjoying-the-moment-its-harder-than-it-seems/







                share|improve this answer




























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  It’s harder than it seems/looks/appears/etc.



                  For example




                  Enjoying the Moment: It’s Harder Than It Seems.

                  - https://psychcentral.com/lib/enjoying-the-moment-its-harder-than-it-seems/







                  share|improve this answer















                  It’s harder than it seems/looks/appears/etc.



                  For example




                  Enjoying the Moment: It’s Harder Than It Seems.

                  - https://psychcentral.com/lib/enjoying-the-moment-its-harder-than-it-seems/








                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 3 hours ago

























                  answered 3 hours ago









                  k1erank1eran

                  18.6k63877




                  18.6k63877






















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