What does so far so good mean? Usage and examples in everyday English

Have you ever heard someone say “So far, so good” in conversation and wondered what this phrase means? It's a very common idiom often used in the Speaking section of the IELTS exam or in everyday communication. In this article, let's explore the meaning of “So far, so good” with IDP, how to use it correctly in context, and real-life examples to help you score higher on the IELTS exam.

The phrase “So far, so good” is used to say that everything is going well up to the present moment. In other words, when you use “So far, so good,” you are expressing that the current situation is “temporarily fine,” “still okay so far,” or “everything is still going in the right direction.”

This phrase is often used in work, study, or daily life contexts to describe a current situation that is going well, while implying that things may change in the future. It is a positive, flexible way of speaking that also expresses a realistic and cautious attitude toward what is to come.

Example:

A: How's your new job?

B: So far, so good! I'm still getting used to the work, but everyone is very enthusiastic about helping me.

How So far so good works in a sentence So far so good can stand alone as an independent clause with a complete meaning. You do not need a subject or a verb before it.

Example Friend How is your new job Do you like it You So far so good

In some cases you can also use So far so good as a clause at the start or in the middle of a longer sentence to add detail.

Examples

• So far so good but we still have a long way to go before we can celebrate.

• We have completed two chapters of the book and so far so good with the translation.

Where you will hear So far so good This idiom is common in friendly conversation and also natural in IELTS Speaking when you talk about progress experiences or work in progress.

Situations and examples

• Work or study progress

  • My internship has been really exciting so far so good.

• Health or personal state

  • I am recovering from the flu and so far so good the medicine is working.

• Projects and status updates

  • We have finished half of the report so far so good.

• Adapting to new life relationships or experiences

  • It has been two months since I moved to the city so far so good.

• Quick reply to How is it going

  • A How is everything going

  • B So far so good

3.1 Synonyms and near phrases

• Everythings fine so far

  • Everythings fine so far I am happy with my new job.

• Things are going well

  • Things are going well with my IELTS preparation.

• Up to now everythings been good

  • Up to now everythings been good no major problems.

• So far everythings okay

  • So far everythings okay with the project.

• No complaints so far

  • Hows your new class No complaints so far.

• Everythings on track

  • Our campaign is on track so far so good.

• Things are looking good

  • The results are not final yet but things are looking good.

• Everythings under control

  • Do not worry everythings under control.

• Alls well so far

  • Alls well so far but we still have a long way to go.

• No issues so far

  • We have been testing the system no issues so far.

• Everythings running smoothly

  • The event organization is running smoothly so far.

• Everything seems fine for now

  • Everything seems fine for now fingers crossed.

3.2 Antonyms and opposite ideas

• Things are not going well

  • Things are not going well we have faced several problems.

• So far not so good

  • So far not so good the project is behind schedule.

• It has been tough so far

  • It has been tough so far but I am trying to stay positive.

• Things are getting worse

  • The situation is getting worse instead of improving.

• We are off track

  • The plan is off track due to delays.

• Running into problems

  • We are running into some technical problems.

• Facing challenges

  • We are facing a few challenges but we will figure it out.

• Nothings going right

  • Nothings going right today everything is delayed.

• It has been quite a struggle

  • It has been quite a struggle managing work and study.

• Far from good

  • Our progress is far from good we need to improve.

Using idioms naturally can boost your Lexical Resource score. So far so good is informal so prefer it in Speaking Part 1 and Part 2 not in formal Writing.

Part 1 example Q Do you enjoy your current job A So far so good. It is a bit challenging but I have learned a lot from my colleagues.

Part 2 example cue card Describe a memorable first meeting with someone A I am going to talk about the time I met my best friend Sarah. When we first met at a university club the atmosphere was stiff and nobody was talking. Then Sarah made a silly joke about the overly formal seating arrangement which completely broke the ice. Everyone laughed the tension disappeared and we started a genuine conversation. So far so good describes how things were going during the first few minutes before the conversation really took off.

Exercise 1 Choose the sentence that uses So far so good correctly

1. a How is the plan going So far so good b How is the plan going So far so goodly

2. a So far so good but we might face problems later. b So far so goodly but we might face problems later.

3. a The weather is terrible today so far so good. b The weather has been pleasant all week so far so good.

4. a We are halfway through the assignment so far so good. b We completely failed the assignment so far so good.

5. a Everything is going wrong so far so good b Everything is going well so far so good

6. a My diet is working so far so good b My diet is not working at all so far so good

7. a Our system crashed twice today so far so good b Our system has not had any issues so far so good

8. a So far so good the test shows positive progress. b So far so good the results are all negative and worrying.

Answer key 1A 2A 3B 4A 5B 6A 7B 8A

Exercise 2 Rewrite each sentence using So far so good without changing the meaning

1. Everything is going well at the moment.

2. Up to now I have not faced any difficulties.

3. The project is progressing smoothly so far.

4. My English practice is improving steadily at this point.

5. Nothing bad has happened yet.

6. Our plan is still on track.

7. The first week at university has been positive.

8. I am adjusting to my new routine with no problems.

9. The experiment has not shown any errors yet.

10. My new job has been fine until now.

Sample answers

1. So far so good.

2. So far so good I have not faced any difficulties.

3. So far so good the project is progressing smoothly.

4. So far so good my English practice is improving.

5. So far so good nothing bad has happened yet.

6. So far so good our plan is still on track.

7. So far so good my first week has been positive.

8. So far so good I am adjusting well to my new routine.

9. So far so good the experiment has not shown any errors.

10. So far so good my new job has been fine until now.

• Keep So far so good short and natural.

• Pair it with a realistic caveat if needed but avoid overusing it.

• In Speaking use it to answer How is it going and to give progress updates.

Practice everyday idioms to lift your IELTS Speaking band. IDP offers nationwide test centers computer delivered IELTS with fast results and helpful preparation materials. Check dates and register for IELTS with IDP today.