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Glite Dictionary
April showers bring May flowers

April showers bring May flowers

7.1
Hard times can lead to better things later
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : las lluvias de abril traen flores en mayo
  • She comforted her friend by saying, 'April showers bring May flowers,' encouraging her to stay patient through difficulties.

Examples

  • Although his project failed, he believed that April showers bring May flowers and tried again.

  • When things aren't going your way, just remember that April showers bring May flowers.

  • Remember, April showers bring May flowers!

  • The saying April showers bring May flowers is often used.

  • After facing several setbacks, she reminded her team that April showers bring May flowers, believing better days were ahead.

  • He told his daughter, 'April showers bring May flowers,' to help her understand that tough times can lead to growth and happiness.

  • When she encountered obstacles in her career, she often thought, 'April showers bring May flowers,' encouraging herself to persevere.

Synonyms

bright side
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
91 3.4

A positive or hopeful part of a hard situation

says difficulties can lead to better outcomes rather than only noting positives
the bright side
vsApril showers bring May flowers
48 2.8

A positive part of a hard situation that gives hope

is the proverb that focuses on eventual better outcomes rather than just one aspect
silver lining
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
43 3.5

A good thing that comes from a bad situation

is a general saying about difficulties leading to better overall outcomes
light at the end of the tunnel
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
17 3.9

A sign that a hard time will soon end or get better

focuses on positive results emerging from hardship rather than just a hopeful sign
to come up roses
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
2 6.0

Turn out very well for someone

is about positive outcomes that arise from earlier difficulties rather than simple success
to make lemonade out of lemons
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
1 5.0

Turn a bad situation into something good

describes positive outcomes from difficulty rather than focusing on deliberate effort
to turn pain into lemonade
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
8.9

Make something good from pain or a bad situation

is about positive outcomes arising from difficulty rather than deliberate creation
all's well that ends well
vsApril showers bring May flowers
6.4

Words people say when a difficult situation ends well

expresses that difficulties can produce good outcomes rather than only judging by the ending
everything in the garden is rosy
vsApril showers bring May flowers
  • Informal
8.7

A situation that seems very good but may hide problems

focuses on improvement after hardship rather than an already perfect situation

Surface Forms

April showers bring May flowers main

Morphology

April + shower + bring + May + flower

Literally the phrase is fully compositional—April (month) + showers (rains) + bring + May flowers describes a causal relationship that learners who know the words can understand. However, its usual proverbial meaning (adverse or unpleasant periods lead to better outcomes) is a metaphorical extension requiring some cultural/pragmatic inference beyond the literal weather image. Because the literal sense is transparent but the figurative, moral reading is not fully predictable without exposure, this is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

The saying April showers bring May flowers comes from the simple image of spring rain, as April rains help flowers grow in May. So it reminds people that short hard times can lead to good things, meaning 'difficult or unpleasant situations can lead to better or more positive outcomes'.