always the bridesmaid
always the bridesmaid, never the bride
Said of one who is never the most important person in a particular situation or the winner of some particular thing. When will I get a promotion? I'm so sick of being always the bridesmaid, never the bride. This is the fifth time I've come in second place—always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
See also: always, bride, never
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
always the bridesmaid
If someone is always the bridesmaid, they are always the second most successful or important person in a situation and never the most successful or important. Ian McEwan, favourite for every literary prize from the Booker to the Whitbread but always the bridesmaid, finally won something for `Atonement'. Note: People sometimes use the full expression always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Her win in this race helped to destroy the idea that she is always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
See also: always, bridesmaid
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
always the bridesmaid
used to refer pityingly to someone who seems always to be allocated to a subsidiary function, and is never invited to take the lead.The expression probably originated in the words of a 1917 song by Charles Collins , Fred W. Leigh , and Lily Morris : ‘Why am I always the bridesmaid, never the blushing bride?’.
See also: always, bridesmaid
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- always the bridesmaid, never the bride
- bride
- bridesmaid
- remember (someone or something) as (something)
- remember as
- come across like
- come across like (someone or something)
- close the books
- come across as (something) to (one)
- (one) ain't particular