Idiomatic Expressions Related to Being Hopeful

Are you a believer of Murphie’s Law? The line that you’re in for the cashier’s counter at a grocery store is always moving slow. You see the gas tank warning light when you’re late to work. It starts to drizzle on the day you’ve planned for an outing with friends. The toilet tissue dispenser happens to be empty when you’re in dire need. Hmmm….you might think the world is filled with so many things to complain about with anger or frustration. However, you’ve got another day dawning that may have a lot more hopeful things to be stoked about! J  This week, let us brush up on some idiomatic expressions related to being hopeful.

(source from https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-106712.php)

1.   to hope against hope: to hope very strongly when the situation is hopeless

2.   There are plenty of fish in the sea: There are other choices to make.

3.   to count one’s blessings: to be grateful for good things in life or what you have.

4.   as luck would have it : an expression used to describe something useful that has happened by chance

5.   something drops/falls into one’s lap: to have something desirable happen/to acquire something desirable without putting in any effort

6.   to luck out : to be very lucky

7.   to lick one’s wounds: to try to recover one’s confidence or spirit after a defeat or failure, disappointment

8.   to look on the bright side: to view a mostly unfortunate situation in a positive and optimistic way and see the favorable aspects

Time to put the above expressions into practice and let us stay positive!

1.  Jessie can hardly ever feel at home in London, but her friends back in her hometown keep telling her to look ______________________________. They say London is one of the most attractive cities in the world.

2.  Dan was hammered at his friend’s birthday party, but as _______________________ it, there was a guy who never touched a can of beer who could drive him home.

3.  Dr.Esther hoped ____________________ that her terminally ill patient would have enough time to wrap up his life with his beloved family and friends.

4.  The Russian soccer team really ______________ out in the game against Spain! Little did we expect they’d win the game.

5.  Hey, Irene, don’t despair. Tom is not the only guy for you in the world.

There are _______________________________________ in the sea.

6.  Each time I become disappointed by the harsh way my life treats me, my mother says “Count your ________________.”

7.  His internship opportunity did not just drop _________________________________. He had been doing his very best to maintain his great GPA and get deeply involved in a lot of activities.

8.  GE has been suffering from a series of failure in selling their products, but now is ____________________________ its wounds for another chance.

Answer Keys

1.  on the bright side

2.  luck would have

3.  against hope

4.  lucked out

5.  a plenty of fish

6.  blessings

7.  into his lap

8.  licking