ENGLISH
REFERENCE

what you see is what you get

idiom
Meaning

The screen image resembles the printed output.


Origin

disputed origin

Originally a humorous allusion to a catchphrase popularized by the comedian Flip Wilson on American TV in the 1960s.

Examples
SIMPLE

This software is simple because what you see is what you get.

CONTEXTUAL

The design tool is popular with beginners because what you see is what you get during the editing process.

COMPLEX

By ensuring that what you see is what you get, the application eliminates the frustration of unexpected formatting changes in the final document.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ain't what it used to was

    Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).

  2. 02

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  4. 04

    can't get enough

    Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.

  5. 05

    cat got someone's tongue

    Why is someone not saying anything?

  6. 06

    come what may

    In spite of anything that might happen; whatever may occur.

  7. 07

    could not get elected dogcatcher

    Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular.

  8. 08

    do exactly what it says on the tin

    To do what is described or what one would expect, with no further explanation needed.

Last updated April 17, 2026