It's not over until it's over

Definitions

• encourage perseverance
  To remind someone to keep trying and not give up, as there may still be a chance for success or change in a situation

• emphasize uncertainty
  To convey that a situation is still ongoing and the final outcome is not yet determined

Examples of It's not over until it's over

• The football game was tied with only two minutes left on the clock. The home team's quarterback made a stunning comeback, pushing the ball all the way to the end zone, but the opposing team managed to intercept the final pass in the last second of the game. The home team's coach declared, "It's not over until it's over. We knew that anything could happen, and we fought until the very end."

  In this example, the idiom "it's not over until it's over" is used to mean that the football game was not officially over until the final second had elapsed, despite the fact that the home team had scored a touchdown and thought they had won. The coach's comment is reiterating this notion and emphasizing the importance of never giving up until the very end.

• Despite the fact that Susan had already agreed to sell her house to John, he suddenly withdrew his offer the day before the closing. Susan was devastated but refused to accept defeat: "It's not over until it's over. I'll keep looking for another buyer, and I won't settle for any less than what John has already agreed to pay."

  In this example, the idiom "it's not over until it's over" is used to mean that Susan is not willing to accept that the sale of her house to John is final. She acknowledges that John has already withdrawn his offer, but she is not conceding that the deal is officially over. Instead, she is using the expression to motivate herself to keep trying to sell the house and find another buyer who will honor the previously agreed-upon price.

• The athlete was trailing in the final lap of the race, but he could sense that his rival was starting to tire. He dug deep and surged ahead, crossing the finish line just a fraction of a second before his opponent. The athlete revealed, "I knew it wasn't over until it was over. I had faith in myself and my training, and I refused to let my competitor beat me."

  In this example, the idiom "it's not over until it's over" is used to show that the athlete did not underestimate the importance of the final moments of the race. His rival was very close behind, and anything could have happened in the last few seconds. However, the athlete had faith in his own abilities and refused to concede that the race was over until he had actually finished and was declared the winner.

• Emily's relationship with her boyfriend had been going through a rough patch for several months. They had decided to take a break, but Emily was determined to make things work: "I'm holding out hope that it's not over until it's over. We love each other, and I believe that with some effort, we can overcome our issues and have a happy future together."

  In this example, the idiom "it's not over until it's over" is used to convey Emily's optimistic outlook on her relationship. She recognizes that her boyfriend has requested a break, but she is not giving up on the possibility of reconciliation. Instead, she is using the expression to encourage herself to keep trying to work things out and preserve the relationship.

• The team's winning streak may have come to an end, but their season is not over yet. It's not over until the playoffs are over, and they still have a shot at making it to the finals.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to sports, specifically the concept that a season or tournament isn't truly complete until all of the matches or games have been played. While the team may have lost their most recent game, they can still make a comeback and win the rest of their matches, leading to a successful finish.

• The CEO announced that the company was closed for the day due to unforeseen circumstances, but he made it clear that it wasn't over yet. The employees were expected to come back the following day and continue working as usual.

  This example highlights the versatility of the idiom, as it can be applied to many different situations in life. Here, the idiom is being used to convey the idea that the temporary disruption to a routine or schedule does not necessarily signal the end of the story. Instead, it simply means that there is more to come, and that the situation will eventually be resolved and returned to normal.

• The couple had been having marital problems for months, and they seemed to be getting worse by the day. But despite the difficulties, one partner refused to give up. He told his spouse, "It's not over until it's over. We can still save our marriage if we're both willing to put in the effort."

  This example shows the emotional power of the idiom, as it can be a source of hope and encouragement during difficult times. Here, the idiom is being used to suggest that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, there is always a chance for a positive outcome if both parties are committed to resolving the issues and working together towards a resolution.

• The band's concert was interrupted by a sudden power outage, leaving the audience in complete darkness. But the performers remained calm and collected, reassuring the crowd that it wasn't over yet. They promised to come back as soon as the lights were back on and finish the show.

  This example demonstrates the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. Here, the idiom is being used to emphasize that simply because one aspect of a situation has gone wrong, it doesn't necessarily mean that everything is lost. Instead, it's a reminder to stay focused and persistent, and to keep pushing forward despite the obstacles.

Conclusion

The idiom "It's not over until it's over" is used to encourage perseverance and remind others to keep trying, as there may still be a chance for success or change in a situation. It also emphasizes uncertainty, conveying that a situation is still ongoing and the final outcome is not yet determined.

Origin of "It's not over until it's over"

The phrase "It's not over until it's over" is often attributed to the baseball player and coach Yogi Berra. It gained popularity in the 1970s when Berra used it to motivate his team during a baseball game. The origins of the phrase can be traced back to the idea of not giving up until the final result is known, and it has since become a widely used idiom in various contexts to encourage perseverance and highlight uncertainty.