English

Alternative forms

• it's an ill wind
• it's an ill wind that blows no good
• it's an ill wind that blows no one any good

Proverb

It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.

1. An action or occurrence must be very bad (ill) indeed if it brings nothing good to anyone.

Usage notes

• Often misunderstood. The saying is based on the premise that when something is bad, someone else will usually benefit. However, it must be very bad, when nobody at all benefits.