Lord willing and the creek don't rise
Meaning: Used to express contingency on circumstances beyond one's control, especially minor natural obstacles.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Nature
Origin: American frontier idiom, likely from the 19th century; it humorously invokes both divine will and the small barrier of a creek as potential obstacles to plans.
More idioms — Nature
- stumbling block — An obstacle or barrier that impedes progress or causes difficulty.
- réduire la voilure — To cut back on spending, resources, or ambitions.
- faire florès — To achieve success and build a reputation.
- fuir comme la peste — To avoid something or someone as much as possible.
- tomber à l’eau — To be canceled or abandoned.
- battre les fourrés — To range far and wide in search of adventure or chance encounters.
More English idioms
- until the cows come home — For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever.
- land in someone's lap — Something desirable comes to someone without effort or expectation on their part.
- wet one's whistle — To have a drink.
- out of spoons — Exhausted of energy or resources, usually mental or emotional.
- bad apple — A person of bad character whose presence corrupts or damages others or a group.
- thrash out — To discuss and resolve a contentious issue thoroughly through frank dialogue.
Loading the full interactive collection…