# no pain no gain

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/no-pain-no-gain
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

You have to work for what you want

## Examples

- I exercise every morning because I know: no pain, no gain.
- My muscles are sore after the gym, but my coach says no pain no gain.
- Although the long hours of studying were exhausting, he reminded himself that there is no pain no gain when pursuing a medical degree.

## Origin

Popularised by Jane Fonda's 1982 workout videos; the sentiment is far older — Benjamin Franklin wrote 'there are no gains, without pains' (1745), echoing the 2nd-century Hebrew text Pirkei Avot.

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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.