The phrase "when life gives you lemons" means making the best out of difficult or sour situations and turning them into positive experiences. It encourages optimism and resilience—finding a silver lining in adversity and using challenges as opportunities for personal growth and turning setbacks into something good. The expression is often completed as "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade," which means taking what life hands you, even if it is unpleasant or difficult, and transforming it into something positive or desirable. The phrase was first introduced to the public lexicon by American writer Elbert Hubbard in 1909 and 1915 to express this philosophy of optimism and can-do attitude in the face of hardship. In essence, it means meeting life’s challenges with positivity, creativity, and perseverance, and choosing how to respond to adversity to emerge stronger or with new opportunities.
