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“No guts, no glory”: meaning, origin and examples

No guts, no glory

What it means

No guts, no glory means that in order to achieve success or glory, one must be willing to take risks or show courage.

Tone Motivational and bold

Where it comes from

The phrase is believed to have originated in military contexts, emphasizing the bravery required for soldiers to achieve victory. Its exact first use is unclear, but it became popular in the mid-20th century.

Examples

  • She knew that starting her own business was risky, but no guts, no glory!
  • He might fail, but if he doesn’t try, he’ll never know what he could achieve. No guts, no glory.

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