hope for the best, prepare for the worst

proverb

While one should maintain a positive attitude when facing uncertain or challenging circumstances, one should not let this optimism blind them to the need to prepare for the possible hardships which may arise.

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Meanings

proverb

alternative hope for the best but prepare for the worst · alternative hope for the best and prepare for the worst

  1. imperativeWhile one should maintain a positive attitude when facing uncertain or challenging circumstances, one should not let this optimism blind them to the need to prepare for the possible hardships which may arise.
verbhope for the best, prepare for the worst (third-person singular simple present hopes for the best, prepares for the worst, present participle hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, simple past and past participle hoped for the best, prepared for the worst)

present singular third person hopes for the best, prepares for the worst · participle present hoping for the best, preparing for the worst · participle past hoped for the best, prepared for the worst · past hoped for the best, prepared for the worst · alternative hope for the best but prepare for the worst · alternative hope for the best and prepare for the worst

  1. To take precautions that may not be necessary in a future situation, while keeping hope that the situation will turn out well so that these precautions would not need to be used.
Cite this entry
APA

hope for the best, prepare for the worst. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hope%20for%20the%20best%2C%20prepare%20for%20the%20worst

MLA

“hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hope%20for%20the%20best%2C%20prepare%20for%20the%20worst. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hope%20for%20the%20best%2C%20prepare%20for%20the%20worst.

Source: hope for the best, prepare for the worst on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.