a blessing in disguise
something that seems bad but turns out beneficial
In Spanish
something that seems bad but turns out beneficial
Examples
- Losing that contract was a blessing in disguise — it forced us to pivot.
- Her injury was a blessing in disguise because it led her to a new career.
- Not getting the promotion was a blessing in disguise as it opened better opportunities.
When it's used
This idiom is used in everyday contexts, both in speech and writing, to suggest that something seemingly negative ended up being beneficial. It is common among native speakers when reflecting on past experiences.
The common mistake
Spanish speakers might calque 'una bendición disfrazada' into English as 'a disguised blessing', which is not how an English speaker would naturally express it.
Related idioms
FROM WHAT YOU READ TO WHAT YOU SAY
Recognising it isn't the same as using it
Reading an idiom and understanding it is step one. Dropping it into a conversation, at the right moment, without stopping to think, is another — and that only comes from speaking.
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