be not so much something as something
be not so much (something) as (something else)
To be more accurately regarded as (something else) than (something). The phrase is used to emphasize that the thing being discussed is more aptly described as the adjective after "as" than the one before "as," even if the first descriptor might also accurate. I'm so sick of this project. It's not so much difficult as it is boring.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
be not so much something as something
be one thing but also something else which is more important: He’s not so much unintelligent as uninterested in schoolwork.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017