no pain, no gain
Meaning: You must work hard or suffer to achieve something.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Training every morning is tough, but no pain, no gain.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Older forms such as "no gains without pains" are found from the 16th century; the short rhyming version was popularized by 1980s fitness culture.
Equivalents in other languages
- Swahili: Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame — literally: He who wants what's under the bed must stoop
- Irish: Imíonn an tuirse is fanann an tairbhe — literally: The tiredness goes but the benefit remains
More idioms — Body & Senses
- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours — If you help me, I will help you.
- thin-skinned — Easily offended or hurt by criticism.
- right-hand man — Someone's most trusted and useful helper.
- have a big mouth — To talk too much, especially about things that should be kept secret.
- a bundle of nerves — A very anxious or nervous person.
- light-fingered — Tending to steal.
More English idioms
- where there's a will, there's a way — Determination will find a way to succeed.
- the early bird catches the worm — Those who act first or get up early get the best chances.
- good things come to those who wait — Patience is rewarded.
- the penny drops — Someone finally understands something.
- change one's tune — To change one's opinion or behavior, usually suddenly.
- call someone every name under the sun — To insult someone furiously with every abusive word one can think of.
From our compliments & insults
- Che rompiscatole — What an insufferable pest — someone who endlessly pesters and never lets you be.
- Testa quadrata — A rigid, inflexible blockhead who refuses to see beyond their fixed ideas.
- È un mammone — An overgrown man who can't make a decision without his mother — the Italian archetype of…