# what you see is what you get

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/what-you-see-is-what-you-get
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The screen image resembles the printed output.

## Examples

- This software is simple because what you see is what you get.
- The design tool is popular with beginners because what you see is what you get during the editing process.
- By ensuring that what you see is what you get, the application eliminates the frustration of unexpected formatting changes in the final document.

## Origin

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

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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.