Pick it Up, Mate!

Just take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves - my motto to learn English. This blog helps me to review and learn English usage in connection with current Aussie affairs.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2005

blessing in disguise

blessing in disguise n. 塞翁失馬

"A blessing in disguise" is a good thing that you don't recognize at first as a good thing. Example: "The hotel is full tonight; we will need to find a new place to stay." Answer: "Maybe it's just a blessing in disguise; I've been wanting to try a new place anyway."

Some people believe that good things are really "blessings" (gifts from God), that we don't always recognize for what they are at first. Example: "I lost my job and was upset at first, but I found a better one and have been much happier since." Answer: "Losing your job was just a blessing in disguise!"

It is as if the good thing (a blessing) were wearing the clothes (in disguise) of some other thing, so at first you do not see it as the good thing that it really is. Example: "My car broke down again, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise; I've been wasting too much time driving around anyway."

-- extracted from goEnglish.com

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