There is many a slip between the cup and the lip – मुँह तक प्याला और हजार खतरे

The idiom “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip” conveys the message that even when something seems certain or nearly completed, unexpected obstacles or problems can still arise at the last moment. It highlights the uncertainty of life and how things may go wrong even in the final stages of a process.

✔ Meaning:

• “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip” means that even when something is almost finished or achieved, there can be unexpected delays or failures that prevent it from happening.
• It suggests that nothing is certain until it is fully completed and we must be cautious until the very end.

✔ Used When:

• When something appears to be almost complete, but there is still a chance for things to go wrong.
• To remind someone that no matter how close we are to success, unexpected events can change the outcome.
• To caution someone not to take success for granted until it’s actually achieved.

✔ Implied Message:
The idiom reminds us of the uncertainty of life and that even small mistakes or missteps can alter the course of events. It teaches caution, patience, and that success isn’t guaranteed until it is fully realized.

Hindi Equivalent:
“मुँह तक प्याला और हजार खतरे” (अर्थ: जब तक काम पूरा न हो जाए, किसी भी पल कुछ भी गलत हो सकता है।)

🧠 Detailed Explanation
This idiom is often used to express the unexpectedness that can arise at any stage of life. It’s common for people to believe that once they’re so close to achieving a goal, nothing can go wrong. But this saying emphasizes that the final steps can be just as tricky as the rest of the journey. For example, someone may be close to winning a game, but they may still make a mistake and lose at the last moment.

Example Sentences:
English: “The deal is almost finalized, but remember, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. We still need to wait for the final confirmation.”
Hindi: “डील लगभग फाइनल हो चुकी है, लेकिन याद रखना, मुँह तक प्याला और हजार खतरे। हमें अभी अंतिम पुष्टि का इंतजार करना होगा।”

Key Takeaways:

• This idiom teaches that nothing is certain until it is fully complete, and there may still be unexpected issues even when success seems assured.
• It advises to be cautious and vigilant even when a task is almost finished.

✔ Origin of the Idiom:
The phrase comes from ancient proverbs that suggest the last step before achieving something is often where problems or misfortunes arise. The cup symbolizes almost achieved success, and the lip signifies the final moment. This saying has been passed down to remind us to not assume that something is certain until it is truly accomplished.

✔ Real-World Examples:

In Conversations:
English: “I thought I had everything set for my trip, but I missed my flight at the last minute! Guess there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”
Hindi: “मुझे लगा था कि मेरी यात्रा के लिए सब कुछ तय हो गया था, लेकिन आखिरी पल में मैंने अपनी फ्लाइट मिस कर दी! लगता है, मुँह तक प्याला और हजार खतरे।”

In Business or Work:
English: “The project is almost finished, but there are still some approvals pending. There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”
Hindi: “प्रोजेक्ट लगभग पूरा हो चुका है, लेकिन अभी भी कुछ मंज़ूरी बाकी है। मुँह तक प्याला और हजार खतरे।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When someone assumes success is certain, but there’s still a chance for things to go wrong at the final stage.
• To caution someone that things may still change unexpectedly, even if they seem to be on the right track.
• To express that we shouldn’t take success for granted until it is fully achieved.