Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.34 in modern English

Syllables
hope -for the best, pre-pare -for the -worst
IPA
58
Scrabble Score
32
Letters
5
Syllables
11
Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

While one should maintain a positive attitude when facing uncertain or challenging circumstances, one should not let this optimism blind them to the need to prepare for the possible hardships which may arise.

verb

To take precautions that may not be necessary in a future situation, while keeping hope that the situation will turn out well so that these precautions would not need to be used.

Inflected Forms

hope for the best but prepare for the worst (alternative) hope for the best and prepare for the worst (alternative) hopes for the best, prepares for the worst (present, singular) hoping for the best, preparing for the worst (participle, present) hoped for the best, prepared for the worst (participle, past) hoped for the best, prepared for the worst (past)

Phrases

better safe than sorry

Frequently Paired Words

better safe than sorry

Questions

What does hope for the best, prepare for the worst mean?
While one should maintain a positive attitude when facing uncertain or challenging circumstances, one should not let this optimism blind them to the need to prepare for the possible hardships which may arise.

How to pronounce hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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