come what may
Meaning: Whatever happens.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Come what may, we're getting married on that beach.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: An old subjunctive construction, "let come what may come." It is found in English from the 16th century, and Shakespeare uses a version in Macbeth.
Equivalents in other languages
- Spanish: salga el sol por donde quiera — literally: let the sun rise wherever it wants
- Russian: хоть умри (khot' umri) — literally: even die
More idioms — Daily Life
- have plenty left in the tank — To still have energy or resources in reserve.
- willy-nilly — Whether one wants it or not; also, in a disorganized way.
- make oneself scarce — To leave quickly, or to keep out of the way.
- no holds barred — With no rules or restraints.
- jump at the chance — To accept an opportunity eagerly and at once.
- a matter of life and death — Something of the greatest possible seriousness.
More English idioms
- bang one's head against a brick wall — To keep trying something with no result.
- have a whale of a time — To enjoy oneself enormously.
- get off on the right foot — To make a good start.
- turn one's back on someone — To abandon or refuse to help someone.
- one's heart sinks — To feel sudden disappointment or dread.
- shoulder to shoulder — Side by side, working together.
From our proverbs
- Willows are weak, yet they bend other wood. — Flexibility and gentleness can overcome rigidity; what appears fragile often proves stron…
- It's an ill wind that blows nobody good. — Even harmful circumstances benefit someone, so misfortune rarely affects everyone equally.
- None ever yet got fat on windfalls. — Unexpected gain alone cannot sustain you; reliable work and effort build lasting prosperi…