not all roses

not all roses

Not completely pleasant, agreeable, or without challenges, especially compared to how it seems or one might assume. We have a really good marriage, but it's not all roses—there are a few issues we're always working on. Several of my friends are jealous of my job at the tech firm, but it's not all roses you know.
See also: all, not, rose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not all roses

not entirely perfect or agreeable. informal
1938 Graham Greene Brighton Rock Sometimes he's bad to me…it's not all roses.
See also: all, not, rose
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • nicen up
  • all right with
  • all right with (one)
  • all right with one
  • turn out all right
  • work out all right
  • if you like
  • down with the swirl
  • swirl
  • change (one's) tune
References in classic literature
"Ah, my dear," said the countess, "my life is not all roses either.
"I've been there and it's not all roses in the garden.
Katlholo said it emerged from the meeting that the 'situation is not all roses' adding that the meeting in Palapye evoked section 10 of GU's constitution.'This is the section that deals with two things.
Unfortunately, it's not all roses for Banal as he also committed 10 turnovers and expected to get an earful from his coaches.
The iPad is the perfect size for use in my Tiger, however, be warned, it's not all roses, especially getting it up and running.
Though that's exactly the kind of good news that Microsoft wants to hear after their used games, DRM and consumer relation debacles, it's not all roses for Redmond.
"True, Germany is not all roses either, but breaches of law are an exception, rather than the rule and when they occur, they are dealt with properly,"A Klaus Shramayer, a German political scientist, who previously served as Germany's former deputy ambassador to Sofia, told Deutsche Welle.
It is not all roses and chocolates with everyone happy all the time, but it is good.
It was not all roses for him at the beginning, but he is worth his weight in gold to David Moyes in that he can be asked to play in a variety of positions yet he will fill them with aplomb.
It's not all roses and smooth running being a tournament winner.
It was not all roses against Easington, though, and at one stage Murton were tottering at 75-8 before Chapman, who finished unbeaten on 37, joined David Scorer in a ninth wicket partnership which added 68 runs.
We are cautious because we want to make it clear that it is not all roses.
"Sometimes you have to experience afternoons like that to become a better player.I've been there and it's not all roses in the garden.
Though that's exactly the kind of good news that Microsoft wants to hear after their used games, DRM and consumer relations debacles, it's not all roses for the Redmond, Wash., company.
It's not all roses in the managerial hot seat after all, while the leaders romp away with 320-odd points, I'm slugging it out with the also rans on 165.