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[1304] Come up roses

🎲 Pass with flying colors
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To turn out successfully, happily, or very fortunately, often unexpectedly or after initial difficulties.

Origin

  • Roses are culturally associated with beauty, pleasantness, love, and good fortune.
  • The phrase evokes the image of a situation blossoming into something as beautiful and positive as a garden full of roses.
  • It suggests a highly favorable and often surprisingly positive outcome. The phrase was popularized by the song Everything's Coming Up Roses from the 1959 musical *Gypsy*.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Turn out well / Turn out for the best
  • Work out (perfectly)
  • End happily / Have a happy ending
  • Pan out (succeed, informal)
  • Be successful / Fortunate
  • Smooth sailing (especially after difficulties)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Turned out sweet (UK)
  • Worked out great / Worked out like a charm
  • Nailed it (Referring to the successful outcome)
  • It's all good
  • Ended on a high note
  • Went off without a hitch (Proceeded smoothly)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Turned out fucking perfect / brilliant

Milder:

  • Had a positive outcome
  • Resolved successfully / favorably
  • Ended well
  • Resulted in success

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Often used to express relief, optimism, or report a fortunate resolution to uncertainty or difficulty.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The connection between roses and success/good fortune might not be intuitive for all learners. Explain the positive cultural symbolism of roses.

Examples

  • We were worried about the project deadline, but everything came up roses in the end.
  • Despite the rain forecast, the picnic day came up roses with bright sunshine.
  • She invested in that risky stock, and surprisingly, it all came up roses.
  • Don't worry too much; things might just come up roses.

Dialogue

Friend A: How did your job interview go? You seemed really nervous about it.

Friend B: It was amazing! They offered me the position on the spot, with a higher salary than expected! Everything just came up roses!

Friend A: Wow, congratulations! That's fantastic news!

Social Media Examples

  • Post: Was so stressed about moving, but found the perfect apartment and the movers were great. Everything came up roses! 🌹 #MovingDay #Success #Grateful
  • Comment: So happy for you that it all came up roses in the end! You deserved a good outcome. 😊
  • Tweet: Hoping this risky venture comes up roses! 🤞 #FingersCrossed #Startup

Response Patterns

  • Relief/Happiness: Oh, that's wonderful news! / I'm so glad to hear that! / Fantastic!
  • Agreement/Confirmation: See? I told you it would work out.
  • Surprise: Really? After all those problems? That's amazing!
  • Optimism: Let's hope so! (If used prospectively).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing things came up roses:

  • Ask for details: That's great! What happened? / How did it turn out so well?
  • Share the relief/joy: Phew! That's a weight off my mind. / That calls for a celebration!
  • Express pleasant surprise: I didn't expect such a good outcome!

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes a positive outcome of a situation.

Intonation

  • Emphasis usually on roses.
  • Everything's COMING up ROSES!
  • Often said with relief, optimism, or cheerful surprise.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood, but perhaps feels slightly more traditional or dated to some younger people. Still common due to the song's influence.

Regional Variations

  • Common in both American and British English.
On a roll
🎲 Pass with flying colors