The phrase "come what may" means "no matter what happens" or "whatever happens," expressing a strong determination to face any challenges or obstacles regardless of the consequences
. It conveys a sense of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to a goal or cause, implying that one will proceed despite difficulties or uncertainty
. The origin of "come what may" traces back to Shakespeare's play Macbeth , where it appeared as "come what come may," meaning "whatever is going to happen is going to happen"
. The phrase itself is an idiomatic expression involving subjunctive verb usage and subject-verb inversion, essentially meaning "whether whatever may come, come"
. It has equivalents in other languages and has been used since at least the 16th century
. In usage, it can be applied in both personal and professional contexts to express determination or acceptance of outcomes, such as "Come what may, I will finish this project" or "Come what may, I promise to always stand by you"
. In summary:
- Meaning: No matter what happens; regardless of obstacles or consequences.
- Origin: Shakespeare's Macbeth ; idiomatic subjunctive phrase from 16th century.
- Usage: Expresses determination, resilience, and acceptance of whatever outcomes arise.
This phrase is often synonymous with expressions like "whatever happens," "no matter what," and "through thick and thin"
