it ain't over till it's over
Meaning
You shouldn’t assume the outcome yet; the situation isn’t finished and can still change.
Origin
Popularized in the 1970s and widely attributed to baseball player/manager Yogi Berra, expressing that games (and situations) can turn around at the last moment.
Notes
Used to encourage persistence or caution against premature conclusions. Informal due to “ain’t,” so avoid in formal writing/speeches.
Examples
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We were down by two goals at halftime, but it ain't over till it's over, so keep pushing.
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I know the interview felt rough, but it ain't over till it's over—you might still get the offer.
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The storm is easing, but it ain't over till it's over, so stay prepared.
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They started celebrating early, but it ain't over till it's over, and the final buzzer hasn't sounded yet.
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Even after that setback, it ain't over till it's over; we can still turn this project around.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Often quoted as a full sentence. Variants include “It’s not over till it’s over” (more neutral/formal) and “until” instead of “till.”
Synonyms
- it’s not over yet
- it’s not over until it’s over
- anything can happen
- the fat lady hasn’t sung yet
Antonyms
- it’s all over
- the die is cast
- case closed