it’s not over till it’s over

American  

[its not oh-ver til its oh-ver] / ɪts nɒt ˌoʊ vər tɪl ɪts ˈoʊ vər /

idiom

1. null it ain't over till it's over the outcome is not certain until the process is completely finished.

   The game is tied with only 9 seconds to go, but it’s not over till it’s over—we could still win!

   I’m pretty sure we have the votes to get this bill through the Senate, but it’s not over till it’s over.

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Etymology

Origin of it’s not over till it’s over

First recorded in 1973; attributed to Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra ( def. )

Example Sentences

“You know, you could have expected it, it was inevitable, but we’ll live to fight another day. It’s not over till it’s over.”

From Washington Post

“It’s not over till it’s over,” said Rachel Azaria, a centrist former lawmaker and author of a recent book about social change in Israel.

From New York Times

And yet, we often fuss at the source of those numbers, saying it’s not over till it’s over.

From Washington Times

I estimate I'm midway through my career at this point, but after all — as they might say at Successories, with an appropriately majestic nature photo as a visual metaphor — it's not over till it's over.

From Salon

“It’s a 60-minute game, and it’s not over till it’s over,” said Callahan, who added that he would not discipline Haskins for the gaffe.

From Washington Post