So far so good

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase So far so good, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression So far so good used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "So far so good"

Meaning

So far so good is an idiomatic phrase that is used to informally express the fact that things have been going as expected or desired. It can be used to emphasize the relief that one feels when things have been progressing as desired in a particular situation or endeavor. It can also be used as a way to show optimism that something will continue to progress as desired in the future.

Etymology

The origins of the phrase “so far so good” are not known for certain, but it has been used in various forms since the 1500s. This phrase is believed to have originated in the British Isles, and it is first found in the book “A Treatise of Many Matters Touching the Life of Man,” which was written by an English lawyer by the name of Henry Brome in 1591. The phrase was likely a reference to the idea that things were going as good as could be expected at the time.

Usage

The phrase “so far so good” has been used in a wide variety of contexts over the centuries. In its original form, it was used to express the idea that things were going as expected or desired. However, it has since been used in various forms to express relief, optimism, and/or gratitude. For example, one might say “so far so good” after a job interview in order to express relief that it went well. Alternatively, one might say “so far so good” in order to show optimism that something will continue to progress as desired in the future.

Example Sentences

• I've been studying for my exam for the past week, and so far so good.
• We just started our new project, but so far so good.
• We've been working on this project for months, and so far so good.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.