Onward and Upward Meaning: What This Phrase Really Means

Have you ever heard someone say “onward and upward” after a tough day? This phrase means moving forward with hope, even when things get hard. It’s a way of saying “let’s keep going and make things better.”

 People use it to encourage themselves and others during tough times. In this article, you’ll learn what it means, how to use it, and where it came from.

Quick Answer

“Onward and upward” means to keep moving forward while making progress toward something better. It’s used to express hope, courage, and forward motion after a setback or during a new challenge. People say it when they want to stay positive and keep improving, even if the past was hard. Think of it as a friendly push to face the future with a good attitude.

This phrase works in many settings. You might hear it at work, in personal chats, or in speeches. It fits almost any situation where someone wants to move past a problem and grow.

Meaning or Definition

At its core, “onward and upward” is a phrase about progress. The word “onward” means moving ahead in space or time. The word “upward” means rising higher, often in quality, success, or mood. Put together, they describe forward motion that leads to something better.

This phrase does not just mean “keep going.” It means keep going and improve. There’s a sense of climbing higher, like a plant growing toward the sun. When someone uses this phrase, they usually feel hopeful. They are looking past current struggles toward a brighter future.

People often use “onward and upward” after:

• A failure or setback
• A hard project that is now finished
• A goodbye or ending of one chapter in life
• A new job, city, or fresh start

It carries a light, encouraging tone. It’s rarely used in serious or sad situations. Instead, it fits moments when someone wants to lift spirits and look ahead with energy.

Grammar or Correct Usage

“Onward and upward” is an adverbial phrase. This means it describes how an action happens, usually the action of moving or continuing. It’s most often used as an exclamation or a short phrase on its own, rather than as part of a complex sentence.

Here are common ways people use it correctly:

• As a stand-alone phrase: “Onward and upward!”
• After a comma, adding energy to a sentence: “We lost the game, but onward and upward.”
• As part of a toast or farewell: “Here’s to new beginnings—onward and upward.”
• In writing to end a section on a positive note: “The company faced losses this year. Onward and upward, though, as new plans are already underway.”

You don’t usually need extra words to explain it. The phrase works well by itself because it’s a fixed expression, meaning its words are always used in this order and don’t change.

One small grammar note: don’t confuse “onward” with “onwards.” Both are correct in English, but “onward” is more common in American English, while “onwards” is often used in British English. Since this phrase is common in the U.S., “onward and upward” is the standard form you’ll see in American writing.

British vs American English

While “onward and upward” is used in both American and British English, there are small differences worth knowing.

Feature	American English	British English
Common spelling	Onward and upward	Onwards and upwards
Frequency of use	Very common in daily speech and business	Common, but slightly more formal in tone
Typical settings	Motivational talks, personal goals, workplace pep talks	Farewells, retirement speeches, formal closings

Both versions mean the same thing. If you’re writing for a U.S. audience, stick with “onward and upward.” If you’re writing for readers in the UK, “onwards and upwards” will feel more natural to them.

Common Mistakes

Even simple phrases can trip people up. Here are mistakes to avoid when using “onward and upward”:

Mistake 1: Reversing the words. Some people accidentally say “upward and onward.” While this isn’t wrong grammatically, it breaks the traditional order that most English speakers expect. Stick with “onward and upward” for a natural sound.

Mistake 2: Using it in serious or tragic situations. This phrase carries a light, hopeful tone. It doesn’t fit well in deeply sad moments, like discussing a serious loss. Save it for situations where encouragement and moving forward make sense.

Mistake 3: Overusing it in formal writing. Because it’s a common expression, using it too often in professional documents can feel casual or repetitive. Save it for speeches, closing remarks, or motivational moments rather than technical reports.

Mistake 4: Treating it as a complete sentence with a verb. “Onward and upward” doesn’t have a verb built in. It works best as an exclamation or added phrase, not as the main sentence structure. For example, “Onward and upward we go” works, but “Onward and upward the team” does not make sense on its own.

Real Life Examples

Seeing the phrase in action helps make its meaning clear. Here are some everyday examples:

At work: After missing a big deadline, a manager might say, “We didn’t hit our goal this quarter, but onward and upward. Let’s focus on next month.”

In personal life: A friend going through a breakup might post online, “Turning the page on this chapter. Onward and upward!”

In speeches: A graduation speaker might close with, “You’ve worked hard to get here. Now it’s time for onward and upward thinking as you start your careers.”

In sports: After losing a match, a coach might tell the team, “Tough loss today, but onward and upward. We’ll come back stronger.”

In business updates: A company newsletter might state, “This year had its challenges, but we’re moving onward and upward with new products launching soon.”

These examples show how flexible the phrase is. It fits casual chats, professional settings, and public speaking alike.

Current Usage or Trends

Today, “onward and upward” remains popular in motivational content, social media captions, and workplace communication. It often appears in posts about personal growth, career changes, and New Year’s resolutions.

You’ll also find it used in headlines and marketing to suggest improvement and progress. Businesses use it to talk about growth, especially after announcing new products, mergers, or recovery from tough periods.

Its popularity comes from its simplicity. In just three words, it captures hope, resilience, and forward motion. That’s why it continues to show up in speeches, articles, and everyday conversations across the United States.

Tips or Best Practices

If you want to use “onward and upward” effectively, keep these tips in mind:

Tip	Why It Helps
Use it after setbacks, not tragedies	Keeps the tone appropriate and respectful
Pair it with a specific next step	Makes the encouragement feel real, not vague
Save it for closings or transitions	Works best at the end of a story or update
Avoid overusing it in one piece of writing	Keeps your writing fresh and avoids repetition
Match the tone of your audience	Casual settings welcome it more than formal reports

Following these tips will help the phrase land naturally, If you’re writing a speech, a caption, or a quick note to a friend.

FAQs

1. What does “onward and upward” mean in simple words?
It means to keep moving forward and get better, even after a hard time or mistake.

2. Is “onward and upward” a formal phrase?
It’s more casual and friendly. It works well in speeches and everyday talk but is less common in strict formal writing.

3. Can I use “onward and upward” after bad news?
Yes, but only for setbacks, not serious or tragic events. It fits situations where hope and improvement make sense.

4. Is “onwards and upwards” also correct?
Yes. “Onwards and upwards” is the British English version, while “onward and upward” is standard in American English.

5. Where did the phrase “onward and upward” come from?
Its exact origin isn’t fully documented, but it likely grew from common English patterns pairing forward movement with rising success, used for centuries in speeches and writing.

6. What’s a similar phrase to “onward and upward”?
Similar phrases include “moving forward,” “looking ahead,” and “better days are coming.”

Conclusion

“Onward and upward” is a simple but powerful phrase. It reminds us to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned. If you’re facing a setback at work, closing one chapter of life, or simply looking for words of encouragement, this phrase fits the moment perfectly.

Use it to lift your own spirits or cheer someone else on. Just remember to match the tone of your audience and avoid using it in situations that call for more serious language. In the end, “onward and upward” is about hope, growth, and taking that next step with confidence.