Meaning & use
Rome wasn't built
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used to say that big or valuable things need a long time and patience, so progress should not be rushed.
Grammar: Stands alone as a comment; the full saying adds "in a day."
Patterns
- Rome wasn't built in a day
- it takes time — Rome wasn't built in a day
Don't be discouraged that your Spanish is still basic — Rome wasn't built in a day.
She keeps telling her son that Rome wasn't built in a day and that learning an instrument takes years.
Rome wasn't built in a day, so give the new business a couple of years before you judge it.
phrasefixed phraseinformalhumorous
Said to someone who is trying to finish something too quickly, as a gentle reminder to slow down.
Grammar: Often used as a direct reply to someone who is impatient.
Patterns
- Rome wasn't built in a day, you know
- remember, Rome wasn't built in a day
"I want the whole report finished tonight." "Rome wasn't built in a day, you know."
When he complained that the garden still looked bare, she laughed and said Rome wasn't built in a day.
Common combinations
- Rome wasn't built in a day
- Try to be patient with your training — Rome wasn't built in a day.
- remember that Rome wasn't built in a day
- Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and your English will improve slowly.
- tell someone that Rome wasn't built in a day
- I had to tell my teammate that Rome wasn't built in a day when she panicked about the deadline.
- it's true that Rome wasn't built in a day
- It's true that Rome wasn't built in a day, but we still have to meet the deadline.
- say Rome wasn't built in a day
- People often say Rome wasn't built in a day when a project takes longer than planned.
Synonyms and how they differ
- patience is a virtue
- This praises the quality of waiting calmly, while "Rome wasn't built in a day" focuses on the time a big task needs.
- slow and steady wins the race
- This stresses steady effort rather than the length of time a large job takes.
- take your time
- This is a direct instruction to someone, not a general comment about how long good things take.
Commonly confused: Rome wasn't built or when in Rome?
Rome wasn't built vs when in Rome
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" means follow local customs when you travel; it has nothing to do with patience or long projects.
Practice
Your friend is upset that her new website still has few visitors after one week. Which reply fits best?
Choose one answer.
"Rome wasn't built in a day" tells someone that worthwhile results take time, which matches a slow start. "When in Rome" is about local customs, and the other two are about old habits and heavy rain.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Rome wasn't built”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.