A blessing in disguise
/ə ˈblesɪŋ ɪn dɪsˈɡaɪz/neutralUK · US
What does “A blessing in disguise” mean?
A blessing in disguise means something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
The phrase requires hindsight: you can only call something a blessing in disguise once the good outcome is visible.
It is gentle and consoling, and works in both speech and writing.
When do people say it?
Used in hindsight, about a setback that led to something better.
“Losing that contract was a blessing in disguise, we found better clients.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
Eighteenth century English.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “A blessing in disguise” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Bite the bullet, To face something unpleasant with resolve.
- Water under the bridge, A past problem that no longer matters.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11