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impossible

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achieve the impossible

To succeed at or overcome a task that is thought (sometimes hyperbolically) to be outside the realm of possibility. People can achieve the impossible if they work together. I felt like I had achieved the impossible when finally I received that promotion last week.

See also: impossible

near to impossible

Of such difficulty as to be or seem almost impossible. (Hyphenated if used before a noun.) The promises of the candidate during her presidential campaign are near to impossible to achieve, but they have garnered a huge following of dedicated supporters. The boss keeps setting us near-to-impossible deadlines for these new projects.

See also: impossible, near

be near to impossible

To be of such difficulty as to be or seem almost impossible. The promises of the candidate during her presidential campaign are near to impossible to achieve, but they have garnered a huge following of dedicated supporters.

See also: impossible, near

difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer

Prov. Tasks that are only difficult are done immediately, harder tasks take longer. (Describes a very competent group or person.) The secretary in our office is extremely capable. She has a little sign on her desk that says, "The difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer." In her case, it's not a joke.

See also: difficult, done, impossible, little, longer, take