en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 05/12/2024, 13:25
English.me team member

What does it mean?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

The proverb "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" means that taking risks is necessary to achieve success or make significant progress. Without putting something on the line, whether it's time, effort, or resources, one cannot expect to gain rewards or reach desired goals.

Tone

Motivational and encouraging

Origin

The phrase has its roots in English proverbs, with early versions dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be a translation of an old French proverb: "Qui ne risque rien, n’a rien" (Who risks nothing, has nothing).

Examples of usage

  • She hesitated to invest in her idea, but her mentor reminded her, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
  • I was nervous about applying for the job, but I told myself, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," and submitted my resume.
  • If we don’t propose our solution to the client, we won’t know if they’ll like it—nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Recommended posts in Phrases

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

The phrase means that it is better and more effective ... Learn more →

Loose lips sink ships

Loose lips sink ships

The phrase "Loose lips sink ships" is a warning against ... Learn more →

Make hay while the sun shines

Make hay while the sun shines

The phrase means to take advantage of favorable conditions while ... Learn more →

Everyone has their price

Everyone has their price

The phrase means that every person can be persuaded to ... Learn more →