There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.: Learn what the means through example!

What does “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” mean?

"There’s many a slip ‘tween the cup and the lip" means many things can happen that prevent a desired outcome from happening.

What context can I use the in?

Example

They were so confident in their plan, but there’s many a slip ‘tween the cup and the lip. They didn't anticipate all the obstacles that could arise.

Example

He thought he had everything under control, but there’s many a slip ‘tween the cup and the lip. One small mistake caused the whole project to fail.

Example

They were counting on winning the game, but there’s many a slip ‘tween the cup and the lip. The opposing team made a comeback and they lost

Is “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” 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 “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” effectively in context?

You can use "There's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip" to remind someone that even when something seems certain or guaranteed, there is still a chance for it to go wrong or not work out as expected. It emphasizes the importance of being cautious and not assuming success until it is actually achieved. For instance, if a friend is celebrating prematurely after winning the first round of a competition, you might say, 'Don't celebrate just yet, remember that there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip. Anything can happen.'

• 1. Sports

  They thought they had won the game, but there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip. The opposing team made a comeback.

• 2. Job Interviews

  She was confident about getting the job, but there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip. Another candidate was chosen instead.

• 3. Celebrations

  Don't celebrate just yet, remember that there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip. Anything can happen.

Similar phrases to “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.”:

Don't count your chickens before they hatch

Do not make plans based on something that may not happen

Example

He was already planning his victory party, but I reminded him not to count his chickens before they hatch.

Pride comes before a fall

Being too confident or arrogant can lead to failure or a setback

Example

He thought he was invincible, but pride comes before a fall.

Expect the unexpected

Be prepared for unforeseen events or outcomes

Example

In this line of work, you always have to expect the unexpected.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "There's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip" is unknown.

Is “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "There's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip" is a well-known proverb in everyday conversation. People often use it to caution against premature celebration or assuming success before it is actually achieved.

What tone does “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” have?

"There's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip" conveys a tone of caution and realism. It reminds people to be mindful of the potential for things to go wrong, even when they seem certain.

Can “There’s many a slip ‘tween (== between) the cup and the lip.” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "There's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a widely recognized proverb that conveys the idea of being cautious and not assuming success prematurely. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.

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, 'Don't celebrate just yet, remember that there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, there's many a slip 'tween the cup and the lip!' to imply caution.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• don't get ahead of yourself
• take nothing for granted
• stay grounded
• be cautious
• don't assume anything

Antonyms

• count your chickens before they hatch
• assume success
• be overconfident
• take things for granted