PhrasesHub

no mean feat

    Definitions

      • to emphasize the difficulty or impressive nature of an achievement
        Highlight the challenging or noteworthy aspect of a task or accomplishment

    Examples of no mean feat

    • The entrepreneur's successful launch of a new startup in a highly competitive market was no mean feat.

      This means that the entrepreneur's accomplishment of launching a new business successfully in a competitive market is not a small or easy feat. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill.

    • After months of rigorous training and practice, the athlete's victory in the championship game was no mean feat.

      This means that the athlete's win in a major tournament after intensive training and practice is not an easy accomplishment. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill.

    • The teacher's ability to maintain discipline and engage all students in a challenging and interactive virtual learning environment was no mean feat.

      This means that the teacher's achievement of maintaining discipline and engaging all students through an interactive virtual learning environment is not an easy task in light of the challenges posed by remote learning. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill.

    • The volunteer's efforts to raise funds and organize a successful charity event while working full-time was no mean feat.

      This means that the volunteer's accomplishment of organizing a successful charity event while working full-time requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill. It is not a small or easy task, but a significant achievement.

    • Winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games after overcoming injuries and intense competition is no mean feat.

      It implies that achieving such an extraordinary accomplishment requires a significant amount of talent, hard work, and perseverance, and is not an easy task to accomplish.

    • Learning a new language fluently, especially at an older age, is no mean feat.

      It suggests that mastering a foreign language involves a great deal of dedication, effort, and discipline, and is not a simple or effortless process.

    • Running a successful business from scratch, especially in a highly competitive industry, is no mean feat.

      It emphasizes that starting a thriving enterprise involves a lot of risks, challenges, and strategic decision-making, and is not a straightforward or uncomplicated endeavor.

    • Writing an exceptional research paper, particularly in a specialized field, is no mean feat.

      It implies that creating a groundbreaking academic paper entails a high level of intellectual ability, critical thinking, and scholarly expertise, and is not an ordinary or run-of-the-mill task.I hope these examples help you understand how the idiom is used in different contexts! Let me know if you need any further assistance.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "no mean feat" is used to emphasize the difficulty or impressive nature of a task or achievement. It suggests that the accomplishment is not easy or ordinary, but rather notable or impressive in some way. When someone uses this idiom, they are acknowledging the challenges or obstacles that were overcome in achieving a particular goal.

    This phrase is often used in a positive context to praise someone's efforts or acknowledge the significance of their accomplishment. It can also be used to express admiration for someone's determination or skill in completing a difficult task. Overall, "no mean feat" is a way to highlight the remarkable nature of an achievement and give credit to the individual or group who accomplished it.

    Origin of "no mean feat"

    The origin of the idiom "no mean feat" can be traced back to the 17th century. The word "mean" in this context does not refer to something being average or mediocre, but rather to its true or intended significance. The word "feat" means a noteworthy or difficult achievement. When combined, the phrase "no mean feat" emphasizes that the accomplishment in question is not insignificant or easy to achieve.

    This idiom likely originated as a way to recognize and commend impressive achievements. It has since become a common expression in the English language to acknowledge the difficulty or remarkable nature of a task or accomplishment. The use of this phrase has endured over the years, continuing to convey admiration for noteworthy achievements in various contexts.