PhrasesHub

The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings

    Definitions

      • don't count your chickens before they hatch
        Do not assume that a particular outcome is guaranteed before it actually happens

      • don't give up prematurely
        Encourage perseverance and patience, reminding that a situation may still change or improve

    Examples of The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings

    • Despite the team's large lead, the coach reminded his players that "the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings." In other words, they couldn't let their guard down and assume they would win until the very end of the game.

      This idiom, "the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings," is a figurative expression that means a situation is not resolved until all the events have unfolded, or until a clear outcome or resolution is reached. The fat lady in this context is a symbolic representation of the moment when an opera truly comes to an end, as it is customary for a soprano singer to perform a final song called the "Grand Finale," accompanied by a full orchestra. The idiom is often used to indicate that it's unwise to celebrate or assume victory before all the drama has played out. In the context of sports, it means that the team leading the game can't presume they've won until the final whistle has blown and the scoreboard reflects the final result.

    • Despite losing the election by a narrow margin, the incumbent president refused to concede, insisting that "the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings."

      In this metaphorical use of the idiom, the opera symbolizes the political process, and the fat lady represents the final and decisive event that will determine the outcome. The president's refusal to accept defeat is compared to waiting for the fat lady to sing, implying that the election is not officially over until all the votes have been counted and any legal challenges have been resolved.

    • The game was tied in the last quarter, and the home team's coach exclaimed to his players, "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings!"

      In this context, the opera represents the game itself, and the fat lady symbolizes the final score that will determine the winner. The coach's statement motivates his players to keep fighting and not give up, as the outcome of the game is still uncertain.

    • As the sales team presented their final pitch to the client, the CEO remarked, "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings."

      In this example, the opera represents the negotiation process, and the fat lady represents the final decision made by the client. The CEO's use of the idiom encourages the sales team to remain persuasive and persistent, as the outcome of the sale is still unknown.

    • The suspect denied any involvement in the crime and claimed, "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings."

      In this use of the idiom, the opera symbolizes the criminal investigation, and the fat lady represents the verdict of the trial. The suspect's statement conveys his belief that the case is not yet closed and that there may be further developments that could exonerate him.

    • The political campaign seemed like it was over, but with a series of unexpected twists and turns, the fat lady had yet to sing.

      This idiom is commonly used to indicate that a situation is not completely finished or resolved until all possible outcomes have occurred. In the example, the political campaign seemed like it was over, but with new developments arising, it's unclear whether the outcome will truly be decided. The expression "the fat lady" refers to a traditional opera trope where the biggest singer, often a woman, sings a final aria to seal the fate of the story. It's commonly used to metaphorically describe events that seem conclusive but could still hold surprises.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings" is used to caution against assuming that the outcome of a situation is certain before it actually happens. It also encourages perseverance and patience, reminding that a situation may still change or improve.

    Origin of "The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings"

    This idiom is believed to have originated in the world of sports, particularly in reference to American football. It is often attributed to sports broadcaster Dan Cook, who used the expression in a 1976 article about a basketball game. The phrase became popular in the 1980s and is now commonly used in various contexts to convey the idea that a situation is not over until it is truly finished. The image of a "fat lady singing" is often associated with the closing act of an opera, emphasizing the finality of the performance. Over time, the idiom has been adopted into everyday language to remind people not to prematurely assume the outcome of a situation. Examples of its usage can be found in literature, media, and everyday conversations.