# eat an elephant one bite at a time

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/eat-an-elephant-one-bite-at-a-time
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To do something one step at a time; to do something in steps rather than all at once.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.