# good things come to those who wait

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/good-things-come-to-those-who-wait
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Be patient

## Examples

- Don't worry, good things come to those who wait.
- I know you want that promotion now, but stay patient because good things come to those who wait.
- Although the young artist struggled for years without recognition, she remained hopeful, believing that good things come to those who wait for their moment.

## Origin

From the 19th-century proverb 'all things come to him who waits', used in Violet Fane's 1892 poem 'Tout vient à qui sait attendre' (itself an old French proverb). (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.