Would you like to give someone else a word of encouragement and let them know that tomorrow their issue will be better than it might seem today? The phrase 'tomorrow is another day' is a common expression that can be used to tell someone this. This post unpacks the meaning, origin and common use of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase 'tomorrow is another day' is a common figurative expression used in the English language.
'Tomorrow is another day' is used to indicate that tomorrow is another day filled with new opportunities or new beginnings. While the phrase is also literal, most people use it as the above figurative meaning.
Telling someone that 'tomorrow is another day' is most often used as a means of encouragement or positive thinking.
If someone has raised a worry or issue to someone, 'tomorrow is another day' can be used as an appropriate response.
The phrase can also be used to self-reference a situation, as a means of self comfort in a difficult situation.
The phrase is used to imply that issues can always be considered again (if not repaired completely) tomorrow, on a new start.
It's most common for people to use the full phrase, and it is not often shortened to anything else.
The phrase has been translated into several languages other than English.
Example Usage
“I didn't make it out to the store this morning to get eggs. I'm disappointed that we don't have any eggs now, but you know, tomorrow is another day.”
“If you feel like you didn't do so great at work today, tomorrow is another day.”
“There's a lot of war going on right now, but I always tell myself that tomorrow is another day and things might look better than before.”
“Remember that if you didn't get laid at the club tonight, tomorrow is another day.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'tomorrow is another day' is credited with a first appearance in the magazine Harper's Weekly, where it first appeared in the mid-1850s.
The expression appeared in an 1857 issue of the publication, and it was soon adapted as a common saying in the English language thanks to the popularity of the story.
As a popular saying, the phrase must have taken off shortly after this date – most likely given at least one or two decades for the saying to enter popular culture.
The phrase 'tomorrow is another day' would make an appearance throughout newspapers and fiction in the 1900s, and soon became an even more popular saying on social media past the 2010s.
The expression can be used as a comment, as part of a conversation or sometimes as a hashtag. The term has been referenced in modern pop culture as a common saying, but also as a fiction title.
Phrases Similar to Tomorrow Is Another Day
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Phrases Opposite to Tomorrow Is Another Day
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What is the Correct Saying?
- Tomorrow is another day
Ways People May Say Tomorrow Is Another Day Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone might use the phrase 'tomorrow is another day' in the wrong context, or misunderstand the meaning of the term.
'Tomorrow is another day' can be used as an encouraging phrase (or sometimes response) which implies that tomorrow, things will improve.
Someone can use the term in the wrong way by using it in situations where it would not apply, or to situations that would not show any improvement. “He's dead.” “Oh, tomorrow is another day.” would not be a fair exchange with use of the term, because he would still be dead tomorrow.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Tomorrow Is Another Day
The correct way to phrase 'tomorrow is another day' is to use it as a response or a statement, which is used to say that the issue in question will repair itself (or become easier) the next day.
The phrase is often used as-is, and is rarely shortened.