eat an elephant one bite at a time
To do something one step at a time; to do something in steps rather than all at once.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You must eat an elephant one bite at a time to finish this project.”
“The task seems impossible, but if you eat an elephant one bite at a time, you will eventually succeed.”
“When faced with a monumental career transition, she reminded herself to eat an elephant one bite at a time, focusing only on the immediate next step.”
- 01
a week is a long time in politics
In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.
- 02
about time
Far past the desired time.
- 03
all bark and no bite
Full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance; pretentious.
- 04
any time now
Very soon.
- 05
any time soon
soon
- 06
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 07
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 08
baby elephant in the room
An obvious but mostly inconsequential issue.
Last updated August 10, 2026