When the fat lady sings

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Meaning

The outcome is not settled until an event has completely finished; do not assume victory or defeat too early.

Origin

The familiar saying grew from older American formulas such as church is not out until the singing is over, which can be traced to the late nineteenth century. The opera and fat-lady version is much newer: a Dallas Morning News report records Texas Tech official Ralph Carpenter saying the opera ain't over until the fat lady sings in March 1976. Washington Bullets coach Dick Motta popularized it nationally during the 1978 NBA playoffs. The image is a stereotype of a Wagnerian soprano delivering a late aria, not an ancient theatrical proverb.

Research Sources

  1. opera ain't over until the fat lady sings Wordorigins.org

Variants

  • It ain't over till the fat lady sings
  • It isn't over until the fat lady sings
  • The opera ain't over till the fat lady sings

Usage Examples

  • We lead by two goals, but it is not over till the fat lady sings.
  • The final ballots are still being counted, so remember: it isn't over until the fat lady sings.
  • Their rival scored twice in stoppage time, proving again that the fat lady had not yet sung.

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