noʊ peɪn noʊ ɡeɪn
Sports
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Without pain, there is no gain
What does "no pain no gain" mean?
- Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- Achievement comes through effort and discomfort
Examples
- I'm exhausted from training, but no pain, no gain.
- Studying is hard, but no pain, no gain.
- Building a business is tough—no pain, no gain.
Origin
Often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, though the concept is ancient. Popularized in fitness culture in the 1980s.
How to use it
Motivational phrase, especially in fitness and self-improvement. Can justify unnecessary suffering.
Similar expressions
hard work pays off
nothing ventured nothing gained
Opposites
take it easy
avoid effort
Related idioms
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
- jump the gun
To act prematurely or before the proper time
Use it in a practice answer
Try "no pain no gain" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.