Explaining "Easy come, easy go"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 04/10/2024, 22:31

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "Easy come, easy go" means that something acquired with little effort, often money or a similar resource, is typically lost just as easily. It reflects a casual or indifferent attitude towards those things that are easily gained and lost.

Tone

Casual or indifferent

Origin

The phrase has been in use for centuries with uncertain origins, but it is widely noted in English literature to express the transitory nature of fortunes, likely gaining popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Examples of usage

She won a small lottery, but spent the money within days. Easy come, easy go.
I wasn't surprised when he lost his new gadget. He didn't value it from the beginning. Easy come, easy go.