So far so good

Meaning

The idiom "so far so good" is an expression that means something is going well or as expected, up to a certain point. It's used when the situation is still unfolding and there may be more to come. The phrase can also suggest caution or a reminder to not get too complacent.

Usage

• "So far so good," said the project manager as he reviewed the progress of the team. "We're on track to meet our deadline."
• The patient's vital signs were stable, and the doctor gave her a thumbs up. "So far so good," she said before leaving the room.
• After months of searching for the right job, John finally landed an interview. "So far so good," he thought to himself. "This could be my chance."
• The company had just made some major changes to their product line, and they were waiting to see how it would affect sales. "So far so good," said the marketing manager. "We're seeing a slight increase in interest."
• The team was leading 2-0, and the coach could feel the tension building. "Stay calm, guys," he said. "It's still early in the game. We need to focus on executing our strategy. So far so good, let's keep it up." The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in both positive and negative situations to convey caution or to emphasize the importance of not getting too ahead of oneself.

Roots and History

The origin of the phrase "so far so good" is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the 17th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of keeping a record of a sailor's progress on a chart by marking each point with an "S" and an "F". If all the points were marked with "S", then the voyage was going well. Another theory suggests that the phrase comes from the game of bowling, where a strike is marked with three pins falling. If you have two strikes in a row, it's considered to be so far, so good.

Synonyms in English

• Going swimmingly
• On track
• Everything is under control
• The ball is in your court
• The pot is black and the kettle is blue

Synonyms in other languages

• In French, "Tout va bien" means everything is going well.
• In Spanish, "Todo está bien" means everything is fine.
• In Italian, "Tutto stà bene" means everything is okay.
• In German, "Alles geht gut" means everything is going well.
• In Dutch, "Alles goed" means everything is fine.

Similar Idioms

• sell someone out

• suited and booted

• self-made man