nice guys finish last
People who are decent, friendly, and agreeable tend to be unsuccessful because they are outmaneuvered or overwhelmed by others who are not so decent, friendly, or agreeable.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He thinks nice guys finish last in this competitive office.”
“You will learn that nice guys finish last when you play this board game.”
“After losing the promotion to a dishonest coworker, he sadly concluded that nice guys finish last.”
“My brother refuses to lie to his clients even if it costs him the sale, proving that nice guys finish last in aggressive industries.”
“Despite his unwavering integrity and kindness, he often lamented that nice guys finish last in a world that rewards ruthless ambition.”
first recorded 20th c.
First appears in the US c. 1946, and condensed from a comment by the baseball manager Leo Durocher. The original quote was The nice guys are all over there, in seventh place. (1946 July 6), about the 1946 New York Giants — seventh place was next-to-last place in the National League. This was shortly afterwards rendered as ‘Nice Guys’ Wind Up in Last Place, Scoffs Lippy, hence giving the present form.
- 01
as the next guy
To a reasonable degree; as much as a typical person or man.
- 02
breathe one's last
To die.
- 03
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 04
couldn't happen to a nicer
Sarcastically asserts that those in question thoroughly deserve their fate.
- 05
dead last
Finishing in last place in a competition or ranking, often by a considerable margin to the next to last place finisher or after an exceptionally poor showing or season.
- 06
draw one's last breath
To die.
- 07
every last
every; without exception (used for emphasis).
- 08
fall at the last hurdle
To fail near the end of an activity, a project, etc.
Last updated August 10, 2026