be one thing
verb1
To be ordinary or acceptable; often used with "be another thing" to contrast two different ideas, situations, or actions.
- Talking is one thing; actually taking action is another.
- It might be one thing if Congress clearly ordained this strange result. But it did not. The relevant statute, the presumption of judicial review, and our precedent all point toward allowing, not forbidding, inventors their day in court.2020, Thryv, Inc., FKA Dex Media, Inc. v. Click-to-Call Technologies, LP, et al. (U.S. Supreme Court No. 18–916), Justice Gorsuch dissenting