It could have been worse

Interview for the Job You Already Have

Today we had a meeting at work for a policy change. Starting this year, we will have to re-apply for our job each year. That means we need to submit our resume, make a sample teaching video, and go through the interview process each year. It is certainly frustrating and disappointing that we need to do this, but it could have been worse. Some university jobs have a hard 5-year limit on employment. This means that it doesn’t matter how good of a teacher you are, you must leave after 5 years. When we were told that there were policy changes, this is what I feared. So, it sucks that we need to apply for our own job, the news was a little bit of a relief.

It could have been worse is a common saying that is often used sarcastically. It is a literal phrase that suggests the outcome is not as bad as it could have been. The phrase implies that the real outcome is still bad, however. You can also use this phrase to try to cheer someone up, even through it probably won’t make them feel much better. It could have been worse is similar to the phrase, “It could’ve been better” and “It could be worse.”

Example: I’m sorry that you were injured in the accident. But it could have been worse. You could have died.