Idiom idiom
every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning
Good things come after bad things
Examples
“I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining.”
“The flight was cancelled, but every cloud has a silver lining because we spent a lovely extra day exploring the city.”
“Although the business failed, every cloud has a silver lining as the experience taught him the skills necessary to succeed in his next venture.”
Origin
first recorded 17th c. disputed origin
first recorded 17th c. disputed origin
From John Milton's Comus (1634): 'a sable cloud / Turn forth her silver lining on the night'; the proverb form developed in the 19th century.
Last updated June 7, 2026