The Archive

Etymology Journal · H

Here goes nothing

Meaning

This is said right before attempting something risky or difficult where you are fairly certain you might fail. It is a way to lower expectations before taking a leap of faith.

Nervous, resigned

Used in a sentence

  • I have never fixed a sink before, but here goes nothing.
  • I am about to ask for a raise, so here goes nothing.
  • Here goes nothing, I am going to try to jump this bike ramp.

The backstory

This phrase has been around since the late 1800s. It represents a stoic, albeit slightly self-deprecating, attitude toward uncertainty.

Heard in

Nationwide

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