Meaning
Patient people will eventually be rewarded.
Cultural Background
It is often used in business and self-help contexts to promote persistence. It is a staple of polite, understated advice in British English. It is frequently used on social media as a caption for photos showing long-term progress.
Use it to comfort
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is feeling impatient.
Don't use it for emergencies
Avoid this phrase if someone is in a real hurry or danger.
Meaning
Patient people will eventually be rewarded.
Use it to comfort
This is a great phrase to use when a friend is feeling impatient.
Don't use it for emergencies
Avoid this phrase if someone is in a real hurry or danger.
It's a proverb
Because it's a proverb, you don't need to change the grammar.
Test Yourself
Complete the proverb.
Good things come to _____ who wait.
The standard proverb is 'Good things come to those who wait'.
Which situation is appropriate for this phrase?
When should you say this?
It is for long-term patience, not emergencies.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend: 'I've been studying for weeks and I'm not fluent yet.' You: '_____'
This is an encouraging response to someone frustrated by slow progress.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: A friend is waiting for a job offer.
This provides comfort during a waiting period.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGood things come to _____ who wait.
The standard proverb is 'Good things come to those who wait'.
When should you say this?
It is for long-term patience, not emergencies.
Friend: 'I've been studying for weeks and I'm not fluent yet.' You: '_____'
This is an encouraging response to someone frustrated by slow progress.
Context: A friend is waiting for a job offer.
This provides comfort during a waiting period.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, but 'those who wait' is the standard, idiomatic form.
It is neutral and fits in almost any context.
Yes, it's common in professional emails to reassure clients.
No, it implies active waiting and persistence.
Yes, it functions as a complete, independent sentence.
Yes, 'All good things come to those who wait' is very common.
Use it carefully; it might sound like you are making excuses for delays.
Because it expresses a general truth about life.
Related Phrases
Patience is a virtue
similarPatience is a good quality.
All good things come to those who wait
similarEverything good takes time.
Slow and steady wins the race
similarConsistency leads to success.
