What does “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” mean?
"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" means that someone is constantly in the role of supporting others but never gets the chance to be the main focus or receive the same recognition.
What context can I use the in?
Example
She's been always a bridesmaid, never a bride in her career, always supporting others but never getting the lead role.
Example
He's tired of being always a bridesmaid, never a bride in his relationships, always being the supportive partner but never finding true love.
Example
The team is determined to prove that they are not always a bridesmaid, never a bride by winning the championship this year
Is “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” 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 “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” effectively in context?
You can use "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" to describe a situation where someone is consistently in a supportive role but never gets the opportunity to shine or receive the same level of recognition as others. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this phrase:
- 1Career
She's been always a bridesmaid, never a bride in her career, always supporting others but never getting the lead role.
- 2Relationships
He's tired of being always a bridesmaid, never a bride in his relationships, always being the supportive partner but never finding true love.
- 3Sports
The team is determined to prove that they are not always a bridesmaid, never a bride by winning the championship this year.
Similar phrases to “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" can be traced back to an advertising campaign for Listerine mouthwash in the 1920s. The campaign featured a series of advertisements that depicted women who were unable to find love because of their bad breath. One of the advertisements showed a woman surrounded by bridesmaids, implying that she was always a bridesmaid but never a bride due to her unattractive breath. The phrase has since evolved to represent someone who is constantly in the role of supporting others but never gets the chance to be the main focus or receive the same recognition.
Is “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" is a common proverb that is often used in everyday conversation. It is frequently used to express frustration or disappointment when someone feels stuck in a supporting role and desires more recognition or opportunities.
What tone does “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” have?
"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" conveys a tone of frustration or resignation. It highlights the feeling of being overlooked or undervalued despite one's efforts and abilities.
Can “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" is commonly used in both informal and formal settings. It can be used in casual conversations with friends and family as well as in professional contexts to discuss career or personal challenges.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She's tired of being always a bridesmaid, never a bride.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Always a bridesmaid, never a bride' to express frustration or disappointment.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- supporting role
- consistently overlooked
- perpetual sidekick
- always in the background
- forever in a supporting position
Antonyms
- center stage
- main attraction
- star of the show
- always in the spotlight
- receiving recognition and praise
