it's an ill wind
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Ellipsis of it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
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 “it's an ill wind” mean?
Ellipsis of it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
Is “it's an ill wind” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.