When You’re Right, You’re Right Meaning
Definition: You have to agree with a person who is correct, even if you dislike that person.
Origin of When You’re Right, You’re Right
The origin of this phrase is unclear.
Examples of When You’re Right, You’re Right
In this example, two friends are arguing about whether or not to go swimming in the ocean.
Neha: Come on! Let’s go swimming.
Tyrese: No, thanks. I’m okay just sitting on the beach and enjoying the sound of the ocean.
Neha: What? You came all the way here to the ocean. You won’t get the full experience if you don’t actually go into the water.
Tyrese: That’s just your opinion.
Neha: Also, the water is beautiful! It’s so blue and clear. Also, the temperature is perfect! You can’t argue with that.
Tyrese: Look at that sign! It says that there is a rip tide here. If you swim here, you could drown!
Neha: Oh, I didn’t notice that sign. I guess it is too dangerous to swim. Despite the fact that I really want to go in, when you’re right, you’re right. It is a bad idea to swim, just like you said.
In this example, two office workers are discussing their work contracts.
Barry: It’s 5 p.m. Are you going home? You look as if you’re in the middle of a big project.
Rachel: No, I’m not going home. I’ve got too much to do. I’ll be in big trouble if I’m not finished by tomorrow.
Barry: But we are paid by the hour. You can’t work overtime without approval.
Rachel: Oh, it’s okay. I’m not going to ask to be paid for this time.
Barry: But that’s against the rules. You should just go home. You could get in big trouble for staying and working extra without being paid.
Rachel: That’s true. I forgot about that. When you’re right, you’re right. If my boss yells at me tomorrow, I’ll just remind him of the rules.
More Examples
This excerpt is a quote about an athlete who gave a president good advice for using Twitter.
- When you’re right, you’re right. Johnny Manziel is right. –Bleacher Report
This excerpt is from an article about 3D printing guns.
- Judge Edith Jones said as much in dissent. I don’t agree with Jones, a Ronald Reagan appointee, very often, but when you’re right, you’re right. –Chicago Tribune
Summary
The saying when you’re right, you’re right is a way to tell someone that although you’d like to disagree with him or her, you can’t, because he or hse are objectively correct.
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