Imagine a colleague facing a difficult project deadline, a student dealing with exam pressure, or a friend going through a painful breakup. In each situation, someone might say, This will pass The phrase offers a simple message: the present difficulty is temporary, and circumstances can change.
This will pass is widely understood as an expression of patience, perspective, and reassurance. It can be comforting because it acknowledges that a problem is real without suggesting that it will last forever. However, the phrase can sound deeply supportive in one situation and dismissive in another.
Choosing an alternative depends on what you want to communicate. A professional email may need a neutral expression such as “Things will improve with time,” while a close friend may respond better to “You’ll get through this.” Understanding these differences helps writers, professionals, students, and ESL learners communicate encouragement without accidentally minimizing someone’s experience.
What Does “This Too Shall Pass” Mean?
This will pass means that a difficult, unpleasant, or challenging situation is temporary and will eventually change or end. It is commonly used to encourage patience during stress, disappointment, grief, uncertainty, or hardship. The phrase communicates hope and perspective without necessarily promising exactly when or how circumstances will improve.
Origin & History of This Will Pass
The exact origin of This will pass is uncertain, and the phrase has been connected with several historical traditions.
One widely repeated story attributes the sentiment to a Persian king who supposedly asked for a saying that would make a happy person sad and a sad person happy. The answer was said to convey the idea that circumstances are temporary. However, this story is better treated as a traditional anecdote than as a firmly documented origin of the exact English wording.
The expression is also associated with nineteenth-century American literature. Abraham Lincoln is frequently connected with a similar saying, although the historical evidence concerns a related idea rather than proving that he originated the exact phrase.
The broader concept is much older than the English expression. Religious, philosophical, and literary traditions have long emphasized the temporary nature of both suffering and happiness. The underlying principle is sometimes summarized as impermanence: circumstances change, and emotional states do not remain fixed forever.
Over time, the phrase became a familiar English expression used during personal hardship, public crises, and periods of uncertainty. Today, it appears in conversations, motivational writing, social media posts, workplace messages, and personal reflections.
Its modern meaning is therefore broader than its historical associations. Rather than functioning as a prediction, it usually serves as a reminder that the current situation is not necessarily permanent.
Synonyms & Alternatives by Tone
Professional & Neutral Alternatives
- Things will improve with time.
- This situation is temporary.
- Circumstances will change.
- Things will get better.
- The situation will eventually improve.
Polite & Supportive Alternatives
- You’ll get through this.
- Better days are ahead.
- Give yourself time.
- Things will settle down.
- You’re not alone in this.
Encouraging & Reassuring Alternatives
- This won’t last forever.
- You can get through this.
- There is light at the end of the tunnel.
- Keep going; things will improve.
- Difficult times don’t last forever.
Casual, Playful & Idiomatic Alternatives
- It’ll all work out.
- Hang in there.
- This will blow over.
- You’ll come out the other side.
- It’s only a rough patch.
When Should You Use This Will Pass?
This will pass works best when the listener needs perspective rather than a detailed solution. It acknowledges that something is difficult while emphasizing that circumstances can change.
Professional settings
In the workplace, the phrase can work in informal conversations with colleagues, particularly when discussing temporary pressure, deadlines, organizational changes, or difficult projects.
For example:
“The next few weeks are going to be intense, but this will pass.”
For formal workplace communication, however, a more direct statement such as “This period is temporary, and we are working toward a solution” may sound more professional.
Casual conversations
The phrase is especially natural when speaking with friends or family members experiencing an ordinary period of difficulty. It can communicate solidarity without requiring a long explanation.
Writing, presentations, and digital communication
It can work well in motivational posts, personal essays, speeches, reflective writing, and supportive messages. It is less suitable when the reader needs specific factual information or immediate action.
When it is especially effective
Use it when:
- The difficulty is genuinely temporary or likely to change.
- Someone needs emotional perspective.
- You want to acknowledge hardship without dwelling on it.
- The relationship is warm enough for reassuring language.
- You are discussing a setback rather than denying a serious problem.
When Should You Avoid This Too Shall Pass?
The phrase should be used carefully when someone is dealing with serious, ongoing, or highly personal circumstances.
Overly formal situations
A formal business letter, legal document, academic paper, or official announcement usually requires more precise language.
Legal, academic, or sensitive contexts
In sensitive situations, reassurance alone may not be appropriate. Someone facing bereavement, discrimination, financial crisis, serious illness, or workplace misconduct may need empathy and practical support rather than a generalized statement about time.
Situations where nuance may be lost
Avoid using it when the listener could interpret it as “stop worrying” or “your problem isn’t important.”
Instead of saying:
“Don’t worry. This will pass.”
you could say:
“I know this is difficult, and I’m here if you want to talk.”
That response validates the person’s experience before offering reassurance.
Is This Will Pass Professional, Polite, or Casual?
This will pass is generally polite and moderately informal. It is recognizable across many English-speaking contexts, but it has an inspirational or reflective quality rather than a strictly professional one.
Its emotional subtext is usually reassuring. The speaker is communicating that the current difficulty should not be viewed as permanent.
In a workplace, its suitability depends heavily on the relationship and situation. Saying it to a colleague who is overwhelmed by a temporary deadline may feel supportive. Saying it to someone who has just experienced a serious personal loss may sound overly simple.
The phrase is not inherently insensitive, but context determines whether it feels comforting or dismissive.
Pros and Cons of Using This Phrase
Advantages
- Clarity: The central message is easy to understand.
- Efficiency: Four words communicate a complete idea about temporary hardship.
- Accessibility: The expression is familiar to many English speakers.
- Emotional reassurance: It can help someone maintain perspective.
- Memorability: Its concise structure makes it easy to remember and repeat.
Potential Drawbacks
- Oversimplification: Complex problems cannot always be resolved simply through the passage of time.
- Tone mismatch: Someone in serious distress may need empathy rather than reassurance.
- Repetition: Frequent use can make the phrase sound generic or predictable.
- Uncertainty: Not every difficult situation automatically improves without intervention.
- Possible dismissal: Without empathy, it may unintentionally minimize another person’s feelings.
Real-Life Examples of This Will Pass by Context
“I know the transition to the new system has been frustrating for everyone. We’re still working through the problems, but this will pass. Thanks for staying patient while we get everything running smoothly.”
Meeting
“The first month after the merger is probably going to be chaotic. We’ll have some adjustments to make, but this will pass.”
Presentation
“Every organization goes through periods of uncertainty. The important thing is to remember that difficult periods are temporary and can be managed with patience and preparation.”
Conversation
“I know you’re having a rough week. Just take it one day at a time. This will pass.”
Social media
“Some seasons are harder than others. Keep going, take care of yourself, and remember: This will pass.”
This Will Pass vs Similar Expressions (Key Differences)
| Phrase | Meaning Difference | Tone Difference | Best Use Scenario |
| This will pass | Emphasizes that the present difficulty is temporary. | Reflective, reassuring | Emotional support and difficult periods |
| You’ll get through this | Focuses more directly on the person’s ability to cope. | Warm, personal | Supporting a friend, colleague, or family member |
| Things will get better | Expresses optimism about future circumstances. | Positive, straightforward | General encouragement |
| Hang in there | Encourages someone to remain patient and persistent. | Casual, friendly | Everyday setbacks and stressful situations |
| This won’t last forever | Emphasizes that the current condition has an endpoint. | Direct, reassuring | Personal hardship or uncertainty |
| It’ll all work out | Suggests confidence that the overall outcome will be acceptable. | Casual, optimistic | Everyday problems and uncertainty |
The key distinction is where the reassurance is directed. This will pass” focuses on the temporary nature of the situation, while “You’ll get through this” focuses on the person’s ability to handle it. “Hang in there” is more conversational, while “Things will get better” is simpler and more direct.
Common Mistakes & Misuse of This Will Pass
Overuse
Using the expression repeatedly can make it sound like a stock response rather than genuine support. If every problem receives the same phrase, listeners may feel that their individual circumstances are not being considered.
Incorrect context
The phrase is inappropriate when someone is seeking specific advice, and the speaker responds only with reassurance. A person asking how to resolve a workplace conflict, for example, may need practical guidance.
Contradictory usage
Avoid using it while simultaneously suggesting that a situation is permanent. The central idea is that circumstances change.
Cultural misunderstandings
Although the concept is widely recognizable, expressions of reassurance vary across cultures. Some audiences may prefer direct empathy, practical assistance, or religious language rather than an idiomatic expression.
Psychological Reason People Prefer This Will Pass
People often respond positively to concise expressions that provide perspective during uncertainty.
Cognitive load reduction
Stress can make complicated explanations harder to process. A short statement gives the listener one simple idea: the present situation is not necessarily permanent.
Trust and authority signals
The phrase can sound calm and measured because it does not promise a specific outcome. However, trust depends on whether the speaker also demonstrates understanding of the situation.
Attention economy
Modern communication rewards concise messages. A short expression can communicate an emotional idea quickly in texts, posts, captions, and workplace conversations.
Modern communication habits
People increasingly communicate through short messages where context is limited. Familiar expressions can efficiently convey emotional meaning, although they can also become impersonal when copied or overused.
US vs UK Usage of This will pass.
This will pass is understood in both American and British English. There is no major difference in its basic meaning.
In the United States, it frequently appears in motivational writing, personal encouragement, social media content, speeches, and discussions about overcoming adversity.
In the United Kingdom, it is also familiar and can carry a slightly literary, reflective, or traditional feel depending on context.
Neither variety treats the expression as grammatically unusual. The main difference is not meaning but stylistic perception. In both regions, a speaker may choose a simpler expression such as “You’ll get through this” when a more personal tone is appropriate.
This will pass in Digital & Modern Communication
Emails
In informal workplace emails, the phrase can encourage during a stressful period. In formal correspondence, a more specific statement usually works better.
Slack / WhatsApp
The expression is natural in conversational messaging:
“The launch week has been brutal, but this will pass”
The emoji changes the emotional tone, making the statement feel lighter and more informal.
Social media
The phrase is common in motivational posts, captions, and personal reflections because its meaning is immediately recognizable.
AI-generated summaries
AI-generated writing can overuse familiar reassuring expressions. When using the phrase in AI-assisted content, it is better to consider the exact audience and situation rather than inserting it automatically whenever hardship is mentioned.
Linguistic & Communication Insight
Emotional weight & subtext
The literal message concerns the temporary nature of circumstances, but native speakers often perceive an additional layer of emotional reassurance. The speaker is usually signaling patience, hope, or resilience.
The expression can therefore communicate more than its dictionary meaning. It may imply:
- “This moment is difficult, but it is not permanent.”
- “Try to maintain perspective.”
- “You do not have to solve everything immediately.”
- “I believe circumstances can change.”
Direct vs indirect phrasing
This will pass is indirect about the specific solution. It does not tell someone what action to take. Instead, it changes the listener’s perspective.
Compare:
“You need to fix this immediately.”
with:
This will pass
The first communicates urgency and action. The second communicates patience and emotional distance from the immediate problem.
Professional communication perspective
In professional communication, context is crucial. During a difficult project, the phrase may strengthen morale. During a serious employee complaint, however, it could appear to minimize the issue.
Experienced communicators often combine reassurance with acknowledgment:
“I know this has been a difficult transition. We’re addressing the remaining problems, and this period won’t last forever.”
That approach preserves encouragement while providing more concrete information.
Pragmatic reasons for alternatives
Professionals may choose alternatives because they want to control the emotional effect of their message. “You’ll get through this” creates a stronger sense of personal support, while “The situation is temporary” sounds more objective.
Choosing the right alternative can reduce defensiveness, demonstrate empathy, or maintain professional authority.
Social signaling
Word choice tells people how the speaker views the relationship. A casual expression can create closeness, while neutral language can maintain professional distance.
A phrase such as “Hang in there” signals friendliness. “The situation should improve over time” signals professionalism and restraint.
Tone & context guidance
Use this when the goal is perspective and reassurance. Be cautious when the person needs validation, practical assistance, or acknowledgment of a serious problem.
A useful rule is:
Acknowledge the difficulty first; offer reassurance second.
That small adjustment makes the expression feel more supportive and less dismissive.
Conclusion
This will pass remains a powerful expression because it communicates a simple but meaningful idea: difficult circumstances are not necessarily permanent. Its concise wording makes it easy to use in conversations, supportive messages, workplace communication, reflective writing, and social media. However, its effectiveness depends on context. When someone needs encouragement, the phrase can provide perspective and hope; when someone needs empathy or practical help, a more specific response may be better.
Alternatives such as “You’ll get through this,” “Things will get better,” “This won’t last forever,” and “Give yourself time” allow speakers to adjust their message to the situation and relationship. Understanding these differences is especially useful for professionals, students, ESL learners, and content writers who want to communicate naturally and appropriately. Ultimately, the best expression is the one that acknowledges the difficulty while matching the listener’s emotional needs, cultural expectations, and communication setting.
FAQs
What does “This too shall pass” mean?
This too shall pass means that a difficult, unpleasant, or challenging situation is temporary and will eventually change or end. People commonly use it to offer reassurance during stress, disappointment, uncertainty, or hardship. The phrase emphasizes patience and perspective rather than promising a specific solution or predicting exactly when circumstances will improve.
Is “This too shall pass” a positive phrase?
Yes. This will pass is generally positive because it communicates hope and reminds someone that difficult circumstances may not last forever. However, its effect depends on context. When used thoughtfully, it can be reassuring; when used without acknowledging someone’s feelings, it may sound dismissive or overly simplistic.
Is This will pass professional?
This will pass can be appropriate in informal or supportive workplace conversations, but it is not usually the best choice for highly formal communication. In professional emails or reports, alternatives such as “This situation is temporary” or “Things should improve with time” provide reassurance while maintaining a more neutral and professional tone.
Is This will pass an idiom?
Yes, “This too shall pass” is commonly treated as an idiomatic expression. Its meaning is not simply about something physically passing; it communicates that a present difficulty or circumstance will eventually change. The phrase is widely understood in English and is often used to express patience, resilience, perspective, and hope during challenging periods.
What are the best alternatives to This will pass?
Useful alternatives include “You’ll get through this,” “Things will get better,” “This won’t last forever,” “Give yourself time,” “Hang in there,” and “Better days are ahead.” The best choice depends on tone. “You’ll get through this” sounds personal, while “This situation is temporary” is more neutral and suitable for professional communication.
Can This will pass sound insensitive?
Yes, depending on the situation. The phrase can sound insensitive when someone is experiencing serious grief, trauma, illness, or another significant hardship and needs emotional validation or practical support. A more empathetic approach is to acknowledge the person’s experience first, then offer reassurance if appropriate.
What is a more professional way to say This will pass?
Professional alternatives include “This situation is temporary,” “Things should improve with time,” “Circumstances will change,” and “We expect the current difficulties to ease.” These expressions communicate a similar idea without the reflective or idiomatic quality of This will pass making them better suited to formal workplace communication.
What is a casual way to say This will pass?
Casual alternatives include “Hang in there,” “It’ll all work out,” “You’ll get through this,” and “It’s only a rough patch.” These expressions sound natural in conversations, texts, WhatsApp messages, and informal social media posts. The best choice depends on whether you want to sound friendly, optimistic, supportive, or motivational.
Is This will pass used in American and British English?
Yes. This will pass is understood and used in both American and British English. Its core meaning remains the same, although individual speakers may prefer different alternatives depending on context. In both varieties, the expression can sound reflective or literary, while phrases such as “You’ll get through this” are often more conversational.
What is the difference between This will pass and “You’ll get through this”?
This will pass focuses on the temporary nature of the situation, while “You’ll get through this” focuses on the person’s ability to cope with it. The first sounds more reflective and general; the second feels more personal and supportive. Both can reassure someone, but they emphasize different aspects of overcoming difficulty.
