Something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but later turns out to be good or beneficial.
“Missing my flight was a blessing in disguise because I met my future business partner on the next one.”
“Although the heavy rain ruined our outdoor picnic, it was a blessing in disguise because we ended up having a wonderful time indoors and got to know each other better.”
Use this phrase in CELPIP Speaking or Writing to show a positive turn of events, especially when narrating a personal experience (Speaking Task 8) or writing an opinion/experience essay. It demonstrates a good range of vocabulary and natural expression. For example, in Speaking Task 8, you could say: 'At first, I was upset about losing my job, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to start my own business.'
Synonyms: a silver lining, a mixed blessing, a hidden benefit