# every cloud has a silver lining

idiom · CEFR B2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/every-cloud-has-a-silver-lining
Updated: 2026-06-07

## 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

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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.