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Rome wasn't built in a day

Cultural  

  1. Valuable projects take time.

Rome wasn't built in a day Idioms  

  1. Important work takes time. This expression functions as an injunction or plea for someone to be patient. For example, You can't expect her to finish this project in the time allotted; Rome wasn't built in a day. This phrase was a French proverb in the late 1100s but was not recorded in English until 1545.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"They know Rome wasn't built in a day," Vance said in the key, blue-collar swing state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so please look after yourself first.

From Washington Post • Nov. 30, 2021

In time LeBron and the Lakers will be fine and contending for titles but Rome wasn’t built in a day.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2019

Rome wasn't built in a day but I've figured out the formula of the way you're meant to do things.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2013

"Rome wasn't built in a day," said Mrs. Lyman, going back to the very beginning, and dipping the first row over again.

From Little Grandmother by May, Sophie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.