Take the will for the deed.
Meaning: Accept someone's sincere effort or intention as equivalent to successful completion when circumstances prevent actual results.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: L’intention est réputée pour le fait (literally: The will is taken for the deed)
- Spanish: Lo que cuenta es la intención (literally: What counts is the intention)
- Japanese: 気は心 (Ki wa kokoro) (literally: The feeling is the heart (a small gesture conveys sincere intent))
More proverbs about Challenge
- They that cannot do as they will, must do as they can. — When circumstances limit your options, pragmatism requires accepting what's achievable ra…
- If one will not, another will. — Refusing an opportunity doesn't eliminate it; someone else will eagerly seize what you re…
- Where the will is ready, the feet are light. — Motivation and eagerness make difficult journeys feel effortless and swift.
- It's an ill wind that blows nobody good. — Even harmful circumstances benefit someone, so misfortune rarely affects everyone equally.
- You cannot drive a windmill with a pair of bellows. — Attempting small, inadequate efforts cannot generate the sustained force needed for signi…
- Tread on a worm and it will turn. — Even the meekest, most powerless creature will resist when pushed to its absolute limit o…
From our idioms
- third-rate — Of poor quality.
- through thick and thin — In good times and bad times; steadfastly and loyally.
- throw down the gauntlet — To challenge someone to fight or argue.