doing less is more

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Achieving better results by doing fewer things or using less effort, rather than trying to do everything.

   Grammar: Functions as a complete sentence or clause; you can add a subject like this or it at the beginning.

   Patterns

   • doing less is more
   • sometimes doing less is more
   • doing less is more than doing more

   My manager told me that in this job, doing less is more, so I stopped taking on extra tasks.

   When you're studying for exams, doing less is more: review one topic well instead of skimming five.

   The designer believes doing less is more, which is why her website has only three pages.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Used to say that a simple style or approach is better than a complicated one.

   Grammar: Often used to comment on design, writing, or art; it can stand alone as a comment.

   Patterns

   • in design, doing less is more
   • doing less is more when you write

   In interior design, doing less is more; a few good pieces look better than a room full of clutter.

   Her writing teacher says doing less is more, so she cuts every unnecessary word.

   For a clean logo, doing less is more—just one shape and one color.

Common combinations

sometimes doing less is more

Sometimes doing less is more when you have too many meetings.

believe doing less is more

Many successful people believe doing less is more.

doing less is more in business

Doing less is more in business if you want to focus on quality.

the idea that doing less is more

She built her company around the idea that doing less is more.

Synonyms and how they differ

less is more

This shorter phrase is usually an adjective or noun phrase, as in a less-is-more philosophy; doing less is more is a full clause and sounds more like a piece of advice.

keep it simple

This is an instruction to make something simple, while doing less is more states a general principle about effort and results.

Opposites

Commonly confused: doing less is more or less is more? doing less is more or more or less?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “doing less is more”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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