Rome wasn't burned in a day
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
It takes a long time to destroy something complicated or impressive.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “Rome wasn't burned in a day” mean?
It takes a long time to destroy something complicated or impressive.
Is “Rome wasn't burned in a day” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.