blessing
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a blessing in disguise
An unfortunate event or situation that results in an unforeseen positive outcome. Running late for work turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I would have been in the middle of that big multi-car pileup had I left the house on time.
a mixed blessing
A situation or circumstance that has both positive and negative results. My new promotion will be a mixed blessing for my family because I'll get a substantial raise, but I'll have to work longer hours too.
be a blessing in disguise
To result in an unforeseen positive outcome. Running late for work turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I would have been in the middle of that big multi-car pileup had I left the house on time.
be a mixed blessing
To have both positive and negative results. My new promotion will be a mixed blessing for my family because I'll get a substantial raise, but I'll have to work longer hours too.
be grateful for small blessings
To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be grateful for small blessings. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just grateful for small blessings that he still has the use of his left one.
be thankful for small blessings
To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities that one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be thankful for small blessings. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye. We're just thankful for small blessings that he still has the use of his left one.
count (one's) blessings
To reflect on the good things in one's life and be grateful for them. I know you're disappointed that you didn't come in first, but so many other incredible things have happened to you this year. Count your blessings, my darling. I try to count my blessings every day—it's a great antidote to sadness!
give thanks for small blessings
To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip. The radio still works, though, so I suppose I should give thanks for small blessings. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just giving thanks for small blessings that he still has the use of his left one.
thank God for small blessings
To appreciate and be thankful for any benefits, advantages, or opportunities one are afforded, no matter how minor or inconsequential. Used particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still worked, though—thank God for small blessings. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye, but he still has the use of his left one, so we're thanking God for small blessings.
with (one's) blessing
With one's express approval, consent, or well-wishes. I asked Samantha to marry me, with her mother and father's blessing, of course. I told them they could go set up their own company with my blessing.
See also: blessing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
blessing in disguise
Fig. something that at first seems bad, but later turns out to be beneficial. Tony's motorcycle accident was a blessing in disguise, because he got enough insurance money from the other driver to make a down payment on a house. Dad's illness was a blessing in disguise; it brought the family together for the first time in years.
*thankful for small blessings
grateful for any small benefits or advantages one has, especially in a generally difficult situation. (Typically: be ~; become ~.) We have very little money, but we must be thankful for small blessings. At least we have enough food. Bob was badly injured in the accident, but at least he's still alive. Let's be thankful for small blessings.
with my blessing
a phrase expressing consent or agreement; yes. Bob: Can I take this old coat down to the rummage sale? Sue: With my blessing. Mary: Shall I drive Uncle Tom to the airport a few hours early? Sue: Oh, yes! With my blessing!
See also: blessing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
blessing in disguise
A misfortune that unexpectedly turns into good fortune, as in Missing the train was a blessing in disguise, for if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met my future wife . [Mid-1700s]
give thanks for small blessings
Express gratitude for a minor favor or advantage, as in My bag didn't get on the plane but it did arrive in time-give thanks for small blessings. This expression is usually uttered when one encounters an unexpected bit of good fortune.
mixed blessing
Something that has both good and bad features, as in Being accepted by the college was a mixed blessing, since she couldn't afford the tuition . [First half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
a blessing in disguise
COMMON If an event is a blessing in disguise, it causes problems at first, but later brings greater advantages. Franklin's illness proved a blessing in disguise, for it gave him strength and courage which he had not had before. The defeat might be a blessing in disguise — she now avoids a quarter final clash with America's Linda Harvey-Wild. Other observers feel the split may be a blessing in disguise for the organization.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a blessing in disguise
an apparent misfortune that eventually has good results.count your blessings
be grateful for what you have. 2003 The Hindu: Literary Review At forty you ruminate. Mostly about life and what it has done to you. At forty you count your blessings. And accept the bitter dollops that have been flung your way.
a mixed blessing
something good which nevertheless has some disadvantages.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a blessing in disˈguise
a thing that seems bad, unpleasant, etc. at first but that has advantages in the end: Not getting that job was a blessing in disguise, as the firm went out of business only a few months later.count your ˈblessings
realize how lucky you are and not complain: Stop looking so miserable and count your blessings! At least you’ve still got a job and somewhere to live.a ˌmixed ˈblessing
something good, pleasant, fortunate, etc. which also has disadvantages: Living in such a beautiful old castle is something of a mixed blessing. Just think of the heating bills, for example.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
blessing in disguise, a
Good luck coming out of bad; a misfortune unexpectedly turning into a good thing. “E’en crosses from his sov’reign hand are blessings in disguise,” wrote the eighteenth-century poet James Hervey, “cross” here meaning “a cross to bear,” or burden. The phrase has been a cliché for about a century.
See also: blessing
count one's blessings
Appreciate what one has, or one’s good fortune. This Pollyanna-like phrase is often used to help avoid worrying about what one lacks or one’s bad luck. (Pollyanna, a children’s book from the early 1900s by Eleanor H. Porter, is the story of an orphan girl who remains resolutely cheerful and sweet-tempered in the face of considerable adversity.) A modern version of the cliché is think positive.
mixed blessing, a
A fortunate occurrence that has some unhappy elements. The OED’s first citation of this phrase is dated 1933, in Discovery (October issue): “The introduction of European influences may prove a mixed blessing.”
See also: mixed
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer