“When One Door Closes, Another Opens” is an idiom in the English language that people use in everyday conversation. You have likely used this english expression yourself at some point, but many people don’t know its true meaning. Understand the meaning of this idiom, learn where it came from, and see some example sentences to help you use it in daily conversation.
Meaning of the Idiom
“When one door closes, another opens” means that when one opportunity is lost or something doesn’t work out, another chance or possibility will present itself. It encourages optimism and looking for new beginnings after setbacks.
Origin of the Idiom
This phrase is often attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, who used it in a quote about focusing on new opportunities rather than dwelling on closed ones. Over time, it became a common expression of hope and resilience.
Example Sentences
1. Maria’s flight got canceled, but she decided to make the most of it, thinking, “When one door closes, another opens. Maybe this delay will lead to something better.”
2. Emma was disappointed when she didn’t get the job, but her mom reminded her, “When one door closes, another opens. Keep applying, and the right one will come along.”
3. After their business deal fell through, Jake stayed positive, saying, “When one door closes, another opens. Let’s see what other opportunities are out there.”
4. Sarah felt crushed when her relationship ended, but her friend told her, “When one door closes, another opens. You’ll find someone better suited for you.”
5. Tim didn’t get into his dream college, but he reminded himself, “When one door closes, another opens,” and started exploring other schools.
How to Use ‘When One Door Closes, Another Opens’ in Everyday Conversations
Now that you know the meaning and origin of the idiom “when one door closes, another opens,” let’s see how you can use it in a real-world conversation.
Conversation 1:
Sophia and Emma are talking about Emma losing her job.
Sophia: I’m so sorry to hear about your job, Emma. That must be tough.
Emma: It is, but I’m trying to stay positive. They’re restructuring, so it wasn’t personal.
Sophia: That’s the spirit. Remember, when one door closes, another opens. This could be an opportunity for something even better.
Emma: You’re right. I’ve already started applying to places I’ve always wanted to work at.
Sophia: That’s great! Sometimes life has a way of leading us to where we’re meant to be.
Conversation 2:
Mark and Jake are discussing Jake’s recent breakup.
Mark: I heard about you and Sarah. I’m sorry, man. How are you holding up?
Jake: It’s been rough, but I think it’s for the best. We weren’t on the same page anymore.
Mark: That’s true. When one door closes, another opens. Maybe this is your chance to focus on yourself for a while.
Jake: Yeah, I’ve been thinking about taking that solo trip I’ve always dreamed of.
Mark: That sounds like a great idea. New beginnings can bring unexpected happiness.
Similar Idioms
1. Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Meaning: This idiom suggests that there is always something positive in even the most challenging situations.
Example: Although her travel plans were cancelled, she used the time to reconnect with old friends—truly proving that every cloud has a silver lining.
2. Light at the End of the Tunnel
Meaning: This phrase symbolizes hope or relief after a period of difficulty or darkness.
Example: After enduring a grueling chemotherapy treatment, she finally received news that her cancer was in remission, providing a much-needed light at the end of the tunnel.
Idioms Starting From Letter W
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter W. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘W’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the W-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter W.
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