For Better or For Worse Meaning with Useful Examples • 7ESL

“For better or for worse” is a popular idiomatic term that you will hear at most weddings. You may also hear it used occasionally as a part of everyday conversation. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase and the origin of the phrase. You will also find examples of how to use this phrase properly in conversations/statements and other ways to say the phrase while conveying the same message.

Table of Contents

For Better or For Worse

For Better or For Worse Meaning

The phrase “for better or for worse” means that you accept the positive or negative outcomes of any situation and accept that these outcomes cannot be changed.

Origin of this idiom

The phrase originated in 1549 in the Book of Prayer. It was originally written here as part of the common marriage vows. Since this time, it has been widely used to show acceptance in a multitude of situations that life may present a person.

For Better or For Worse Examples

Examples in Statements

A statement made by a local public official.

“My constituents voted me into this position for a reason and I intend to honor them, for better or for worse.”

A statement made by a celebrity in a popular entertainment magazine.

“He is my son and I will always love him, for better or for worse.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between two friends discussing their relationships.

Friend 1: I think Greg might have a drug problem.
Friend 2: Why do you think that?
Friend 1: Just little things I have observed. I am really worried.
Friend 2: Well, you should just leave him. He might just drag you down with him if he does.
Friend 1: No, I love him. I will stand by his side always, for better or for worse.

A conversation between two teammates on the football team.

Member 1: I have been thinking about quitting this team.
Member 2: Why would you do that? We need all the good players we can get!
Member 1: That’s exactly why I want to quite. We suck and so do most of the players on our team!
Member 2: You can do what you want, but I am going to stand with the team for better or for worse.

Other Ways to Say “For Better or For Worse”

Most phrases have other ways that you can say them and still convey the same message.

Other ways that you can say “for better or for worse” include I will be by your side no matter what, come what may or what will be will be and I will always be here.

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