Sooner or later



Example: Sooner or later, everyone has to learn to ride a bike.

Definition


"Sooner or later" is an expression used to indicate that something is bound to happen eventually, regardless of the exact timing. It implies inevitability, suggesting that the event will occur at some point in the future, whether it happens quickly or after some delay.

Etymology


The phrase "sooner or later" comes from the combination of the comparative adverbs 'sooner' and 'later,' which relate to time. It has been used in English since at least the 16th century to express the idea that something will happen eventually, though the exact time is unknown. Did you know? This phrase reflects human awareness of inevitability and patience, emphasizing that timing may vary but the outcome is certain.

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"Sooner or later" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (A1) - set 1", containing 104 commonly used expressions.
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