he who laughs last laughs best
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: he who laughs last laughs hardest · he laughs best that laughs last
Meaning · English
Success is enjoyed more after having previously endured ridicule.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “he who laughs last laughs best” mean?
Success is enjoyed more after having previously endured ridicule.
Is “he who laughs last laughs best” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.