# nice guys finish last

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/nice-guys-finish-last
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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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.