Motivational idioms and sayings are powerful ways to inspire, encourage, and motivate people to overcome challenges, pursue their dreams, and achieve their goals.
These idioms are part of the rich heritage of the English language and hold an important place in our daily lives. We have included a definition and example sentence for each one, to help you see how to use them.
Motivational idioms
Follow your dreams
Some of these motivational idioms are easy to use. When someone tells you to follow your dreams, they are saying that you should live your life the way you want to and do the things that make you happy, even if they seem crazy to others. In other words, don’t settle for a mediocre life.
It could be to do with pursuing a dream career, starting a new hobby, or visiting a new place.
“If you want to win the Oypmics you should follow your dreams.”
Have the world at your feet
To have the world at your feet is to have many opportunities and options available. It suggests that you have the power and ability to achieve anything you want in life.
“Marcus knew he had the world at his feet after he won the gold medal.”
You can find some more inspirational idioms about life in our separate list.
The world is your oyster
Similar in meaning to the expression above, you can tell someone the world is your oyster if you want to say that they are free to go anywhere they want and do anything they like.
“Why hang around in this dreary town for the rest of your life? The world is your oyster!”
Interestingly, this is an example of a Shakespearian idiom that appeared in The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Give it your best shot
When you give it your best shot you are aiming to try your hardest at something. It’s another way of saying ‘do your best’.
“Just give it your best shot. That’s all we ask.”
No pain, no gain
This motivational idiom is often seen or heard in the gym as it relates to physical pain or exertion. No pain, no gain simply means that if you wish to achieve something, you must put in the effort to make it happen and it may be painful at times.
“I know this seems like a gruelling schedule, but you know what they say: No pain, no gain.”
This is also a pleasing expression because of its assonance!
Light a fire under
When you light a fire under someone or something, you motivate them to take action. After all, if someone did actually light a fire under you, you’d want to move pretty quickly!
“Everyone seems so lethargic in the office today. What can we do to light a fire under them?”
This is not the only fire idiom that relates to motivation and enthusiasm.
Hang in there
This is one of the motivational idioms that you’ll find on posters, cards, and mugs, normally with a cute monkey or sloth hanging from a branch.
Hang in there is a lovely way of encouraging someone to keep on going through hard times, remaining persistent in the face of struggles.
“I know that times are hard but hang in there and things will get better.”
A slight variation of this phrase is hang on in there.
Pep talk
A pep talk is an informal speech given to encourage a person or a group. It can be done in a wide variety of situations, such as a coach motivating their team before a game or a parent encouraging a child before an exam.
“I gave Sammy a quick pep talk and that seems to have boosted his confidence.”
There are some other talking idioms that can be helpful for inspiring people.
It’s worth a shot
Sometimes it’s worth trying something even if you’re not sure it will succeed. In this case, you can say it’s worth a shot.
“I might not have all the requirements for this job application but it’s worth a shot.”
Another way of putting this is there’s nothing to lose.
I’m 100% behind you
Lots of these motivational idioms are meant to offer support, and none more than telling someone you’re 100% behind them. 100% means full, whole, and complete, and the word ‘behind’ in this case is talking about being supportive and agreeing with them.
“If you want to leave your job I’m 100% behind you.”
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
A sprint is a short-distance race that requires you to run as fast as you can. A marathon, on the other hand, is a long-distance endurance race that requires you to pace yourself.
So when someone tells you that something is a marathon, not a sprint, they mean that you shouldn’t rush into it and expend all your energy or focus up-front. Instead, take a methodical approach and prepare yourself for it to take longer.
“Don’t rush your college applications. This process is a marathon, not a sprint.”
You can find some more sports-related idioms here.
Keep pushing
Some of these motivational idioms are simple in their meaning. If you’re encouraged to keep pushing, you’re being told to keep on going, keep on trying, and not give up.
“I know things aren’t going well but just keep on pushing a little longer.”
Keep fighting
Keep fighting has a similar meaning to the motivational phrase above. It’s a way of telling someone not to give up in the face of difficulty.
It needn’t refer to a physical fight; more to a figurative struggle with whatever you are going through.
“It’s important to keep on fighting and not give up.”
Knock it out of the park
Originally a baseball idiom, to knock it out of the park means to do something very well, perhaps exceeding expectations.
“She knocked it out of the park with that presentation.”
Never say die
Never say die is just another way of telling someone ‘don’t give up’ or ‘don’t stop trying.’
“Even though we’re behind by two goals with only ten minutes left in the game, we should never say die. Keep fighting until the end.”
A similar expression, never say never, was coined in Charles Dickens’ novel The Pickwick Papers and used more recently in the 1983 James Bond film Never Say Never Again.
Put your best foot forward
If someone wants to motivate you to work hard and put in your best effort, they may tell you to put your best foot forward. This is sometimes done with the goal of making a good first impression, for example in an audition or a new job.
“Good luck starting your new job tomorrow! Put your best foot forward and everything will be fine.”
Reach for the stars
Believe it or not, this is one of many star-related idioms in English. When you tell someone to reach for the stars, you’re encouraging them to aim high and follow their dreams and desires.
“If you want to run your own business, you can. I will always encourage you to reach for the stars.”
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Just like success takes time and effort, so does building a whole city like the mighty city of Rome. So when someone comments that Rome wasn’t built in a day, they’re reminding you to keep working towards your goals and not expect it to be a fast process.
“I know my business won’t be an overnight success, but I’m taking small steps every day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, after all.”
The sky is the limit
If you feel that you have no limits or boundaries to what you can achieve or accomplish then you believe that the sky is the limit. It suggests that your potential has no endpoint and that there are lots of opportunities for growth and success.
“When I first started here, my mum told me that the sky was the limit. Now I’m running my own branch.”
There are many other positive idioms like this in English. You can use them to encourage others to focus on the good things in life.
In the bag
If you have something in the bag, you are almost certainly assured of success or victory. It’s a good motivational saying to use with someone who keeps doubting themselves.
“Honestly, she has it in the bag as she recorded the fastest 100-meter sprint in her class.”
The word ‘bag’ can have many different meanings in bag idioms, but there are several that refer to success of some kind.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Hopefully, these motivational idioms are giving you the desire to succeed. And some people would say that’s all you need to be successful, hence the saying where there’s a will, there’s a way.
“Time and time again, our daughter has proved that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
In other words, if you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.
You can find even more idioms about success in our separate article.
Motivational sayings
In case you still aren’t feeling inspired enough, let’s finish up with some motivational sayings from people whose success should be a source of encouragement for everyone.
“I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison
This quote from Thomas Edison emphasizes the importance of persistence and perseverance in the face of failure. It suggests that failures should not be seen as a setback or a reason to give up, but as an opportunity to learn and improve your approach.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”
Henry Ford
Take a moment and really think about this quote. If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you won’t. A positive mindset is key to being successful.
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
Estée Lauder
Sometimes just thinking about winning and being the best isn’t enough. Estée Lauder believed that effort, dedication, and long hours are needed to achieve your goals.
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.”
Chris Grosser
In this quote, Chris Grosser was implying that success and opportunities in life are not just handed to us. They are created through our own efforts and actions. This motivational saying emphasizes the importance of being proactive, taking initiative, and creating moments instead of waiting for them to come along.
“There’s no such thing as impossible. Even the word itself says ‘I’m possible.'”
Unknown
This is one of the popular motivational quotes that you’ll find on posters, cards, and t-shirts. It’s a fun play on words that changes the word ‘impossible’ into ‘I’m possible’, inspiring you to believe that everything is possible.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Walt Disney
This magical saying is similar to ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’. Walt Disney was reminding us that sometimes it’s our imagination that holds us back from achieving greater things.
“Believe you can, and you are halfway there.”
Theodore Roosevelt
This final motivational quote is another reminder that believing in yourself is just as important as the work you actually do.
We hope you feel inspired and ready for action after reading all these motivational idioms and sayings. Coming back to them regularly can help you stay focused, unlock your full potential, and give you the strength to keep going when you’re facing a struggle.
