No pain, no gain
/noʊ peɪn noʊ ɡeɪn/informal, neutralUK · US · AU · IE · CA
What does “No pain, no gain” mean?
No pain, no gain means you must suffer some difficulty or work very hard if you want to achieve success or make progress.
This saying means that good results do not come easily. You have to push through tiredness, discomfort, or stress to reach your goal. It is especially common when people talk about physical exercise, studying, or building a career.
People usually say it as a quick motto to motivate others or themselves. It sounds cheerful, energetic, and slightly tough.
When do people say it?
People say this to encourage someone who is tired or struggling during a hard task.
“My legs hurt after running up the hill, but no pain, no gain!”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal, neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US and AU and IE and CA.
Where does it come from?
The phrase appeared in early forms in seventeenth-century English poetry and in the writings of Benjamin Franklin. It became famous worldwide in the 1980s through fitness videos.
Origin confidence: Well documented
How do you say “No pain, no gain” in other languages?
Last reviewed 2026-09-11