So Far So Good Idiom: Meaning with Examples & More

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  • February 14, 2025
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So Far So Good idiom

In our daily conversation, “so far, so good” is a commonly used idiomatic expression that means the results are satisfactory till now and a positive result from a situation till a particular period. 

This phrase originated from a book written by James Kelly i.e. Scottish Proverbs which was written in 1721. It was first in the sentence “ So far, so good. So much is done to good purpose”. 

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So Far So Good Idiom: Usage With Examples

So far, so good is a very generally used Idiom in daily life. It is commonly used in a situation where there are two people involved and there is a conversation about any situation involved. 

Some of these examples are:

  1. Is everything with him fine?

Yes, so far so good. Let’s see how it goes further. 

  1. I started this business and everything is going so far so good. Let’s see how it goes further. 
  1. Do you like being an Engineer?

I know it’s been hard but it’s been so far so good. Let’s see how it goes further. 

  1. I learnt that you have adopted a pet. How is it going?

Yeah, it’s right. The training is still going but so far so good. 

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So Far So Good Idiom: Synonyms

These are some of the related phrases that demonstrate the same meaning of so far so good idiom:

  1. All is going so well
  2. Slow but steady
  3. Slowly and surely
  4. Up to this point, all is ok
  5. It is alright so far

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So Far So Good Idiom Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. “We’ve had a few minor setbacks, but so far so good.” This means:

a) Everything is perfect and there are no problems.

b) Things are going well up to this point, despite some small issues.

c) The situation is getting worse.

d) The worst is yet to come.

2. Which of these situations would you NOT typically use the idiom “so far so good”?

a) A pilot reporting on a flight that’s experiencing some turbulence.

b) A student halfway through a difficult exam.

c) A doctor giving a patient a bad diagnosis.

d) A team that’s winning a game at halftime.

3. The idiom “so far so good” implies:

a) Certainty about the future.

b) A sense of cautious optimism.

c) Fear and anxiety.

d) Complete satisfaction.

4. Which of these is the closest synonym for “so far so good”?

a) “Touch wood” or “knock on wood”

b) “So far, so bad”

c) “It’s all downhill from here”

d) “We’re in the clear”

5. You might say “so far so good” when:

a) You’ve finished a project and it was a complete disaster.

b) You’re partway through a task and it’s progressing well.

c) You know a situation is definitely going to end badly.

d) Something has just gone terribly wrong.

Answer Key:

  1. b)
  2. c)
  3. b)
  4. a)
  5. b)

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FAQs

What does “So Far So Good” mean?

“So far so good” means that things are going well up to the present moment. 1 It suggests that there have been no significant problems or difficulties yet. It expresses cautious optimism, acknowledging that while the present is positive, the future is uncertain.  

What are so far so good synonym?

Some of the synonym of so far so good are “all is going well so far”, “that’s so much to the good”, “up to this point all is ok”, etc.

Is “So Far So Good” formal or informal?

It’s generally considered informal or semi-formal. It’s perfectly acceptable in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. While you could use it in some professional settings, it might not be appropriate for highly formal occasions or written documents where a more sophisticated phrase might be preferred.

What are some similar phrases to “So Far So Good”?

“Up to now, everything’s fine.”
“Things are going well so far.”
“We haven’t encountered any problems yet.”
“So far, so good, knock on wood.” (This adds a touch of superstition, hoping the good fortune continues.)
“Everything is proceeding as planned.” (More formal)

Is “So Far So Good” always used positively?

Yes, it always carries a generally positive connotation. It indicates that the situation is favourable at the moment. However, the “so far” part implies that there’s still a journey ahead, and things could change. There’s always a hint of cautiousness.

Is “So Far So Good” used in other languages?

Many languages have equivalent expressions. The concept of things going well up to a certain point is universal. You’d have to look up the specific translations for each language.

This was all about the “So Far So Good meaning, examples, synonyms”. You can also follow the Learn English page of Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs related to English grammar and the English language.

An avid writer and a creative person. With an experience of 1.5 years content writing, Simran has worked with different areas. From medical to working in a marketing agency with different clients to Ed-tech company, the journey has been diverse. Creative, vivacious and patient are the words that describe her personality.

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