the grass is always greener on the other side

proverb/ðə ɡrɑːs ɪz ˈɔːlweɪz ˈɡriːnər ɒn ðə ˈʌðər saɪd/ 🔊 listen

The grass is always greener on the other side is an English proverb meaning that other people's situations often seem better than your own — even when they aren't. It captures the tendency to envy what we don't have.

📖 Meanings

1other people's situations seem better than your own
"He envies his friend's job, but the grass is always greener on the other side." — He envies his friend's job, but it only looks better from a distance.
2the illusion that what we lack is more appealing
"You think their life is perfect? The grass is always greener." — You think their life is perfect? It just looks that way from outside.

🔄 Related proverbs

count your blessings →the apple always looks better →be content with what you have →

💬 Common patterns

the grass is always greenerthe grass is greener on the other sideremember, the grass is always greener
❓ Which proverb says other people's situations always seem better?