In this collection of positive idioms, explore a delightful array of sayings to uplift you and help you see the good things in life.
From encouraging perseverance to highlighting the power of optimism, you’ll be overflowing with enthusiasm after reading this list.
With each positivity idiom featured here, we have included a definition and example sentence. After all, idioms can be hard to understand since they convey a figurative or metaphorical message rather than a literal one.
Positive idioms
Think positive
We’ll start with a simple phrase: to think positive means to adopt a positive mindset and concentrate on all the good things that could come from a situation.
“Relationships can be tricky, especially during tough times, but my advice is to think positive and focus on the good in your partner.”
If you wish to be more grammatically correct, you could say ‘think positively’. It means more or less the same thing, but in this specific case, the idiom defies standard grammar rules.
Every cloud has a silver lining
This is one of the most popular positive idioms, encouraging you to look for the good in any situation. To tell someone that every cloud has a silver lining is to remind them that even in difficult or challenging situations, there is always something positive to be found.
“Although I didn’t get the job I wanted, it led me to discover a new career path. Every cloud has a silver lining!”
You might find it helpful to know some idioms about bad things happening, as well as all these positive ones.
The glass is half full (or empty)
This expression can be optimistic or pessimistic, depending on which way you look at it. In fact, it’s more of a philosophical concept that can be used as a positive idiom or a negative one.
Imagine you have a glass that is 50% filled with water. Optimists will look at what is there and be glad that they have half a glass of water to enjoy. Pessimists will look at what is lacking and complain about the missing half.
So, when someone comments that the glass is half full, it’s a reminder to focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t have.
“Yes, we have encountered some obstacles, but let’s remember that the glass is half full, and with our determination we can overcome any challenges.”
You could also turn this expression into an adjective, describing someone or something as glass-half-full (or glass-half-empty).
“He’s a glass-half-full guy, always seeing the best in a situation.”
“I’m fed up of the glass-half-empty attitude in this team. It’s bringing everyone down.”
The sky’s the limit
Your goals, desires, and dreams have no boundaries except the ones you impose on yourself. So when you are told that the sky’s the limit you are being reminded that you can achieve anything.
“Dream big, work hard, and remember, the sky’s the limit. You can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
You can find some more inspirational and motivational idioms here.
Eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive
This is a fairly straightforward saying about being positive. When someone advises you to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive, it’s a reminder to focus on the good things in life and get rid of any sources of negativity.
“You have a lot going on right now. Sounds like it’s time to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive in your life.”
You may also hear this expression the other way around: accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. There is no difference in meaning.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
This phrase encourages you to make the best out of a difficult situation. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade is a fun way of telling someone they can turn anything negative into a positive.
“After losing my job, I decided to start my own business. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
This is such a well known phrase, you may hear adapted versions like when life gives you lemons, grab the salt and tequila!
We have a separate page with some more fun drinking idioms.
Look on the bright side (of life)
Most of these positive idioms encourage finding the positive or advantageous aspects of a situation. So, to look on the bright side (of life) is to see the good side even when your situation seems dismal.
“Although we didn’t win the competition, let’s look on the bright side and appreciate the valuable experience and new friendships we gained.”
“If you always look on the bright side of life, you’ll always have something to be grateful for.”
You may have heard this saying from a popular song in the movie Monty Python’s Life of Brian (it comes with an adult language warning though).
Actions speak louder than words
This idiom emphasizes that people’s actions have a greater impact than their promises or intentions. Make sure your actions speak louder than words by taking some positive steps today.
“Instead of making empty promises, let your actions speak louder than words and show them your commitment.”
Good things come to those who wait
Here’s a good idiom for anyone feeling impatient. The idea that good things come to those who wait means that patience is often rewarded and you should stay positive when things aren’t happening as fast as you would like.
“Stacey, it’s still six weeks until your birthday! Just be patient; good things come to those who wait.”
More optimistic idioms
The early bird catches the worm
If you want to be successful, you may need to be proactive to get ahead of others. This could be anything from starting work earlier than everyone else to being the first one in line for sought-after tickets.
This idea is encapsulated in the saying the early bird catches the worm. It means that if you make an effort to arrive early, you will gain an advantage over others.
“I woke up at dawn to finish my project before anyone else. The early bird catches the worm, and I want to excel.”
English animal idioms feature all sorts of creatures – not just worms!
Knowledge is power
The saying knowledge is power emphasizes the importance of knowledge and how it empowers individuals to make informed decisions.
“Investing in education and continuous learning is crucial because knowledge is power.”
This is one of many idioms about knowledge and wisdom that can give you a positive perspective on life.
Practice makes perfect
Never give up. Don’t stop trying. There are plenty of ways to tell people to keep going, but positive idioms like practice makes perfect are a much better motivator.
It highlights the idea that repeated effort and practice lead to improvement and mastery.
“Don’t be discouraged by dropping a few marks on the exam. Practice makes perfect, and you’re making great progress.”
Have you ever wondered about the difference between practice and practise?
You reap what you sow
Should this expression be on our list of positive idioms? It is really positive? Well, that depends on how you are behaving.
When you reap what you sow you have to deal with the consequences of your actions. Just remember that this could be positive OR negative.
“Be kind, honest, and work diligently, for you reap what you sow, and your efforts will bear fruit in due time.”
“I’m not surprised to hear he has no friends after behaving like that. Just goes to show, you reap what you sow.”
Another version of this saying about life is what goes around, comes around.
Body positive
Being body positive means focusing on your overall health, well-being and self-worth rather than feeling pressured to conform to conventional views of beauty and body image.
“I wish more beauty brands would do body-positive advertising instead of setting unrealistic standards.”
There are many other great idioms about beauty in the English language.
The grass is always greener (on the other side)
It’s easy to look at someone else’s life or circumstances and think they are better than our own, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction.
This tendency is expressed in the saying the grass is always greener (on the other side). When you hear this, it’s a reminder to consider the good things in your own life rather than comparing yourself with others and chasing after what others have.
“Instead of thinking the grass is always greener, let’s appreciate and make the most of the opportunities and blessings we have right here.”
Laughter is the best medicine
The phrase laughter is the best medicine suggests that laughter and humor have positive effects on mental and physical well-being.
“In times of stress, remember that laughter is the best medicine. Finding joy in the little things will change your perspective on everything else.”
We have a separate page with some more fun idioms about happiness, and even more sayings about laughter to keep your spirits up.
End on a positive note
To end on a positive note means to conclude or finish something optimistically or favorably. This way, you leave a good impression.
“Despite the challenges we faced throughout the project, let’s end on a positive note by showcasing our achievements and lessons learned.”
Have these optimistic idioms made you feel more positive? Are you feeling energized and ready to take on anything? We have one last positivity boost for you in the form of a quote:
“Everything is OK in the end; if it’s not OK, it’s not the end.”
But who said it first? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
