There's no rose without a thorn
(there's) no rose without a thorn
There is rarely a good or positive person, thing, or situation that does not have some negative or unpleasant aspect (i.e., just as a rose, which is beautiful, has harmful thorns). A: "I can't believe the amount of taxes I have to pay on my lottery winnings!" B: "No rose without a thorn, eh?" Our teacher is usually very supportive and patient, but if you mess around in her class, she'll tear you a new one. There's no rose without thorns, I guess.
See also: no, rose, thorn, without
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
There's no rose without a thorn.
Prov. to enjoy any beautiful or pleasant thing, you must endure something difficult or painful. Mike: My bride is lovely and gracious, but I'm discovering that she has a terrible temper. Bill: There's no rose without a thorn.
See also: no, rose, thorn, without
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- Let every man skin his own skunk.
- horse and rabbit stew
- a sad state (of affairs)
- a sorry state (of affairs)
- be a fate worse than death
- like pulling teeth
- go from bad to worse
- from bad to worse