English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Meaning
The idiom "where there's a will, there's a way" means that if someone is determined to do something, they will find a way to make it happen, regardless of obstacles or difficulties. This expression can be used in various contexts and often implies a sense of creativity or resourcefulness.
The literal meaning of the idiom is that if there is a desire or intention to accomplish something, then there will always be a way to do it. The figurative meaning suggests that with determination and ingenuity, people can overcome any challenges they face in achieving their goals.
Usage
- "Despite the financial difficulties facing the company, CEO John was determined to make his new product launch a success."
- "When Sarah found out she had to give up her favorite hobby due to an injury, she refused to accept defeat and started exploring alternative activities that allowed her to continue pursuing her passion."
- "The team's commitment to winning the championship was unwavering, even when faced with unexpected setbacks that threatened to derail their efforts."
- "When Tom found out that his dream of becoming a famous actor was unlikely to happen due to lack of talent or opportunity, he decided to focus on developing other skills and building relationships in the industry instead."
- "The project manager's tenacity paid off when she was able to secure funding for her team's project despite facing fierce competition from other proposals."
Roots and History
The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but it has been used since at least the 16th century in English literature and speech. One possible explanation for the phrase is that it comes from the idea that people who are determined to achieve something will find a way to make it happen, even if they have to resort to dubious or unethical means. Another theory suggests that the expression may be derived from the old English proverb "will and way," which implies that one's intentions and actions are interconnected.
Synonyms in English
- If there's a will, there's a way.
- There's always a way out.
- A determined person finds a way.
- With persistence comes success.
- Success is inevitable with determination.
Synonyms in other languages
- If there's a will, there's a way (Spanish: Si hay voluntad, hay una manera; French: Si il y a une volonté, il y a une voie)
- There's always a way out (Dutch: Er is altijd een manier om heen te komen; German: Es gibt immer eine Lösung)
- A determined person finds a way (Italian: Un determinato persona trova il modo; Portuguese: Uma pessoa determinada encontra o caminho)
- With persistence comes success (Swedish: Med persistens kommer framgången; Finnish: Pätkäneeminen mener pohjaan)
- Success is inevitable with determination (Czech: Úspěch je nezbyvajícím s určitostí; Russian: Успех - неизбежный при умении и решительности)