Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

silver lining

 - 3 dictionary results

silver lining

 
Use silver lining in a Sentence
–noun
a sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation; a bright prospect: Every cloud has a silver lining.
Origin:
1870–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To silver lining
silver lining  
n.  A hopeful or comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty.

[From the proverb "Every cloud has a silver lining".]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

silver lining

An element of hope or a redeeming quality in an otherwise bad situation, as in The rally had a disappointing turnout, but the silver lining was that those who came pledged a great deal of money. This metaphoric term is a shortening of Every cloud has a silver lining, in turn derived from John Milton's Comus (1634): "A sable cloud turns forth its silver lining on the night."

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see silver lining on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way