English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
No news is good news
Meaning
The idiom "no news is good news" means that there are no new developments, events or updates to report about a particular situation. It implies that the absence of news is a positive thing as it indicates that nothing negative or unexpected has happened.
Usage
- The manager was thrilled when he heard that there were no new problems with the project, as he had been worried about delays and budget overruns.
- When the police arrived at the scene of the accident, they found that everyone involved was okay and there were no further injuries.
- After weeks of waiting for test results, the patient was relieved to hear that there was no sign of cancer.
- The investors were happy to hear that the company's financial performance had improved significantly, with no major setbacks in sight.
- The media outlet was glad to report that the political situation in the country had stabilized and there were no new conflicts or protests.
Roots and History
The idiom "no news is good news" has been in use since at least the 17th century. It can be found in various books, newspapers, and articles from that time period. The earliest known usage of the idiom was in a collection of proverbs published in 1670, where it was written as "No newes is good news." Over time, the idiom has remained relatively stable in meaning and usage. However, it may have become more common in modern times due to the increased availability and speed of news and information through media outlets and technology.
Synonyms in English
- No progress means no problems.
- Nothing new to report.
- There are no updates to share.
- The situation is unchanged.
- No developments to discuss.
Synonyms in other languages
- En español: "No noticias son buenas noticias".
- In German: "Keine Nachrichten sind gute Nachrichten".
- In French: "Il n'y a pas de nouvelles bonnes à annoncer".
- In Italian: "Nessuna notizia è buona notizia".
- In Portuguese: "Nenhuma notícia é boa notícia".