easy come, easy go
Meaning
Something gained easily (especially money) is often spent or lost just as easily, so don’t be too upset about it.
Origin
Recorded from the 1600s. It reflects the common idea that possessions acquired with little effort are valued less and therefore are more readily lost or spent.
Notes
Often used to console someone about money or gains lost after being acquired with little effort. Slightly casual, sometimes implies the gain wasn’t hard-earned.
Examples
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He won a bunch of money on a whim, but it was easy come, easy go—he spent it all in a week.
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When I lost my phone at the festival, I just shrugged and thought, "Easy come, easy go."
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She treats freelance jobs like easy come, easy go, never getting too attached to any one project.
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The team didn’t panic after the lucky streak ended; they said it was easy come, easy go.
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If you didn’t work hard for it, remember: easy come, easy go.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed proverb-like form: “Easy come, easy go.” Often used as a standalone sentence or after a clause (e.g., “Well, easy come, easy go.”). Usually not inflected or reworded.
Synonyms
- easy-come, easy-go
- here today, gone tomorrow (for things that don’t last)
- lightly won, lightly lost
Antonyms
- a penny saved is a penny earned
- waste not, want not