Till the fat lady sings Meaning in English

expression

US

TIL thuh FAT LAY-dee SINGZ

UK

til thuh FAT LAY-dee SINGZ

Definition

This expression means that something is not finished until it is completely over—don't assume the result before the end. It comes from opera, where a performance often ends when a large female singer finishes her song.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, mostly used in sports, competitions, or situations with uncertain outcomes. Implies patience—wait for the end before celebrating or giving up. Sometimes shortened to 'it's not over till the fat lady sings'.

• Spanish: hasta que cante la gorda (expresión) - hasta el final
• Portuguese (BR): até a mulher gorda cantar (expressão) - até o fim
• Portuguese (PT): até que a mulher gorda cante (expressão) - até ao fim
• Chinese (Simplified): 大局未定前（比喻事情还没有结束）
• Chinese (Traditional): 大局未定之前（比喻事情還沒有結束）
• Hindi: जब तक सब कुछ खत्म न हो जाए (मुहावरा) - अंतिम समय तक
• Arabic: حتى تُغني السيدة البدينة (تعبير) - حتى النهاية
• Bengali: শেষ না হওয়া পর্যন্ত কিছু বলা যায় না
• Russian: ещё не всё кончено - всё решится в конце
• Japanese: 最後まで何が起こるかわからない
• Vietnamese: mọi chuyện chưa kết thúc đâu
• Korean: 끝날 때까지 끝난 게 아니다
• Turkish: her şey bitmeden bitmiş sayılmaz
• Urdu: جب تک سب ختم نہ ہو جائے، کچھ کہنا قبل از وقت ہے
• Indonesian: belum selesai sampai benar-benar berakhir

Example Sentences

It's not over till the fat lady sings.

basic

We should wait till the fat lady sings before making a decision.

basic

Don't lose hope till the fat lady sings.

basic

The game looked lost, but remember, it ain't over till the fat lady sings.

natural

I wouldn't start celebrating just yet—it's not over till the fat lady sings.

natural

He keeps fighting till the fat lady sings—that's what I admire about him.

natural