“Never say never”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
Never say never means that one should not rule out any possibility, as situations can change, and things once deemed impossible may become possible.
Tone Optimistic and cautionary
Where it comes from
The phrase is a proverb that has been used in English since at least the 19th century to convey the idea of keeping an open mind about future possibilities. Its precise origins are unclear, but it has been popularized in modern times by its use in songs, films, and books.
Examples
- I told myself I’d never move back to my hometown, but now, never say never.
- She said she’d never try skydiving, but then she thought, never say never.
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