What is the saying hope for the best expect the worst?

hope for the best and prepare for the worst

proverb To have hope that a positive occurrence will happen, while simultaneously readying for a negative outcome. Now that our house is on the market, there's not much we can do but hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We hoped for the best and prepared for the worst when we learned that the hurricane was to make landfall.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst,

 and Hope for the best but expect the worst.

Prov. You should have a positive attitude, but make sure you are ready for disaster. While my father was in the hospital after his heart attack, we hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. When you study for a major exam, hope for the best but expect the worst. Don't make yourself anxious worrying that it will be too difficult, but review as if you expect the exam to be extremely hard.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter
  • a burnt child dreads the fire
  • give a man a fish...
  • a scalded dog dreads cold water
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray

“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best” is a stoic proverb to help you remain hopeful in the face of adversity. It’s a popular idiom used in modern language, and the chances are that you hear this phrase more often than you realize.

“Prepare for the worst hope for the best” involves the use of the word prepare. Preparation is a key part of life, helping us create a buffer for unexpected events in the future. Hope is an emotion that we hold onto when we’re experiencing difficulty in our lives.

“Prepare for the worst hope for the best” is an idiom, or more of a proverb, describing a mindset. Preparing for life events that might be somewhat unexpected might seem frivolous. However, this proverb has plenty of thought behind it.

For example, you could be heading out for a camping trip in the mountains. While we would all like the weather to be sunny, clear, and temperate, there is a chance that a storm could come. Getting caught in bad weather while trekking up a mountain could lead to a life-threatening scenario.

So, when you’re packing your gear for the trip, it’s a good idea to plan for the worst-case scenario, even if you don’t think the weather forecast doesn’t indicate a storm on the horizon.

The proverb describes many situations in life surrounding your career, family, or social circle.

Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best – Example Usage

There are plenty of use cases for “prepare for the worst hope for the best.” Some of the more common ways to use the idiom include the following.

  • I’m going into a meeting with a client at 3 PM; I’m going to prepare for the worst but hope for the best.”
  • We’re hosting a party this weekend for my brother’s son; we’re going to prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
  • I’m going into court to hear the ruling; we’re going to prepare for the worst but hope for the best.”

Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best – Origin

The origin of the proverb “prepare for the worst but hope for the best” comes from the book “The Wondrous Tale of Alroy.” Benjamin Disraeli, author and Prime Minister of the UK, penned the novel in 1833, using the idiom in chapter three of the book.

Phrases Similar to Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best

A few other phrases are similar to “prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”

  • Expect the best, prepare for the worst, capitalize on what comes.
  • Every cloud has a silver lining.
  • Stay positive but remain on guard.
  • If we are wise, let us prepare for the worst.
  • Expect the unexpected.

Phrases Opposite to Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best

Here are a few idiomatic phrases and sayings opposite of “prepare for the worst hope for the best.”

  • Throw caution to the wind.
  • Don’t worry, be happy.
  • Go with the flow.
  • Go wherever life takes you.

What is the Correct Saying?

The correct use of the idiom, “prepare for the worst hope for the best,” refers to situations where you are trying to say there are perhaps unseen threats in the future. It also relates to actions and events, giving you an outlook of caution while remaining joyful at the moment.

“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best” can describe life situations where you are uncertain of the outcome. For instance, you’re called into your boss’s office to discuss a problem. You don’t know what she wants to discuss or the prospective outcome of the meeting. However, if your gut feeling is uncertain of the request and the contents of the meeting, then it’s a perfect time to use the phrase.

For instance, you could say to your colleagues, “I’m going to the boss for a meeting. I don’t know what she wants, but I’m going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

Some people may use the idiom inappropriately at times. For instance, if you’re going into a scenario where you enter a new barbershop, using the term wouldn’t be very appropriate. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?

Acceptable Ways to Phrase “Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best”

You can use the proverb “hope for the best prepare for the worst” at any time where you want to remain positive in the face of a possible threat.

One of our favorite uses of the phrase comes from Gerald Celente, who stated, “If you don’t prepare, you could lose everything. If you prepare for the worst and nothing happens, you’ve lost nothing.”

Contents

  • 1 Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best – Meaning
  • 2 Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best – Example Usage
  • 3 Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best – Origin
  • 4 Phrases Similar to Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best
  • 5 Phrases Opposite to Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best
  • 6 What is the Correct Saying?
  • 7 Acceptable Ways to Phrase “Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best”

Who originally said hope for the best prepare for the worst?

Benjamin Disraeli Quotes I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.

What is the saying prepare for the worst expect the best?

Another great quote from Zig Ziglar this week – success in business really is about planning: prepare for the worst although you expect the best, which is just human nature after all, while being ready to capitalize on what comes – most likely something between the best and the worst scenarios.

What is the proverb of hope for the best?

to hope that something will be successful or happen in the way you want, even if it seems unlikely: I've repaired it as well as I can - we'll just have to hope for the best.

Where does hope for the best prepare for the worst come from?

Around 46 BC, Cicero wrote to a friend saying, "you must hope for the best"; but the first known use of the full expression is in The Tragedie of Gorbuduc by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville (1561) which was performed by the Gentlemen of the Inner Temple before Queen Elizabeth I in 1562.