What does ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” mean?
"“Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged)" means that almost is not good enough, and it’s not a valid excuse. You either do something or you don’t do it, there is no in-between.
What context can I use the in?
Example
You can't say 'I almost finished the project' because 'Almost' never killed a fly (was never hanged). You either finish it or you don't.
Example
Don't make excuses like 'I almost made it on time'. Remember, 'Almost' never killed a fly (was never hanged). You're either on time or you're not.
Example
Stop saying 'I almost passed the test'. 'Almost' never killed a fly (was never hanged). You either pass or you fail
Is ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” effectively in context?
You can use "Almost never killed a fly" to emphasize the importance of actually completing a task or achieving a goal, rather than just coming close. For example, if someone is boasting about almost finishing a project, you might say, 'Almost never killed a fly. You need to actually complete it.'
- 1Work
You can't just say you almost finished the project. Almost never killed a fly. You need to actually complete it.
- 2Sports
Don't brag about almost winning the game. Almost never killed a fly. Only the final score matters.
- 3Crime
She claimed she almost caught the thief, but almost never killed a fly. The criminal is still on the loose.
Similar phrases to ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Almost never killed a fly (was never hanged)" is unknown.
Is ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Almost never killed a fly" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more often used in writing or formal situations to convey the idea that partial completion or near success is not enough.
What tone does ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” have?
"Almost never killed a fly" conveys a tone of skepticism and dismissal. It is used to downplay the significance of almost achieving something and emphasize the importance of actual completion or success.
Can ““Almost” never killed a fly (was never hanged).” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Almost never killed a fly" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a straightforward expression that highlights the need for full completion or success. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in professional or academic contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'You can't just say you almost finished the project. Almost never killed a fly. You need to actually complete it.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Almost never killed a fly!' to imply the importance of actual completion or success.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- close but no cigar
- near miss
- almost doesn't count
- fall short
- miss the mark
