“Hacerla o morir en el intento

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• Meaning

To fail or succeed in one enterprise by your own effort without the help of anybody else, all by ourselves.

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• Origin

Geoffrey Chaucer, one of the most famous English poets, used the expression “float or swim” in his writings. In medieval times, women who were suspected to be witches were thrown into deep waters. If they drowned and died, they were considered innocent but if they floated, people thought they were being helped by the devil and they were burned guilty of withcraft. In modern times, we say that when we take a new venture, we have to options: Whether we can succeed or fail. If we succeed, it is like swimming. If we fail, it is like sinking.

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• Example

I have to take my graduation test next week. I have studied quite a lot. I think I am ready to take the exam but it is going to be so difficult that nothing guarantees I still can make it. It is a matter of sink or swim.

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