Is there a word/phrase/expression to describe a seemingly easy problem?
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
New contributor
add a comment |
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
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
New contributor
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
single-word-requests phrases expressions
New contributor
New contributor
New contributor
asked 6 hours ago
StevenSteven
6
6
New contributor
New contributor
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
4 Answers
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Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."
add a comment |
Some examples are:
'there's more to this than meets the eye'
'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'
New contributor
#1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?
– k1eran
3 hours ago
add a comment |
"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.
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
add a comment |
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/
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."
add a comment |
Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."
add a comment |
Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."
Perhaps "Fixing the symptoms but not the root cause" is what you are looking for.
Or "It's anything but child's play."
answered 6 hours ago
Raghda YousefRaghda Yousef
934
934
add a comment |
add a comment |
Some examples are:
'there's more to this than meets the eye'
'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'
New contributor
#1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?
– k1eran
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Some examples are:
'there's more to this than meets the eye'
'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'
New contributor
#1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?
– k1eran
3 hours ago
add a comment |
Some examples are:
'there's more to this than meets the eye'
'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'
New contributor
Some examples are:
'there's more to this than meets the eye'
'a wolf in sheep’s clothing'
New contributor
New contributor
answered 6 hours ago
Alaz TetikAlaz Tetik
211
211
New contributor
New contributor
#1 seems apt, but #2 seems for a different situation?
– k1eran
3 hours ago
add a comment |
#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
add a comment |
"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.
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
add a comment |
"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.
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
add a comment |
"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.
"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.
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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/
add a comment |
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/
add a comment |
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/
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/
edited 3 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
k1erank1eran
18.6k63877
18.6k63877
add a comment |
add a comment |
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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