blessing in disguise

idiom/ə ˈblɛsɪŋ ɪn dɪsˈɡaɪz/ 🔊 listen

A blessing in disguise describes something that seems bad or unlucky at first but turns out to be good in the end. The misfortune was actually fortunate — you just couldn't see it at the time.

📖 Meanings

1something that seems bad at first but proves good later
"Losing that job was a blessing in disguise — I found a better one." — Losing that job actually worked out for the best — I found a better one.
2the idea that bad events can have a hidden upside
"The flight delay was a blessing in disguise; we missed the storm." — The flight delay turned out lucky; we missed the storm.

🔄 Related phrases

every cloud has a silver lining →silver lining →things happen for a reason →

💬 Common patterns

a blessing in disguiseturned out to be a blessing in disguiseit was a blessing in disguise
❓ How do you say a bad-seeming event turned out well?