Explaining "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 05/12/2024, 13:25

English.me team member

What does it mean?

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.