Opportunity lingers sometimes.
Opportunity lingers sometimes.
Meaning in plain English
Not every opportunity disappears immediately. Check whether there is genuinely time to consider a choice rather than assuming that urgency is an unavoidable condition of every useful offer.
Example
A participant confirms that registration remains open for another week, allowing time to check travel and access needs before deciding whether to attend.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Sometimes is important: the saying allows for an opening that remains available rather than asserting that all opportunities wait. It can counter the pressure created by a belief that every chance must be seized instantly. A considered response may still be possible when the deadline is known and the conditions remain suitable. The proverb does not justify ignoring a real time limit or postponing a decision indefinitely. The useful question is how long the option actually exists and what needs checking within that period. Knowing those details can support either timely action or a reasonable pause without relying on a slogan alone.
When to use it
Use it when a supposed immediate deadline needs to be checked against the actual available time.
Keep in mind
Some opportunities are brief; verify the time limit rather than assuming either urgency or indefinite availability.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1193 · Opportunity
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗