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little engine that could (the)

a reference to a children's story about an engine that tried even when he didn't think he could succeed

Etymology:

  • The Little Engine That Could is an American folktale (existing in the form of several illustrated children's books and films) that became widely known in the United States after publication in 1930 by Platt & Munk. The story is used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" (copied from Wikipedia)
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You can do it. Even if it doesn't seem like you can beat the other team, just be like the little engine that could.

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Submitted by TriplePurple on May 28, 2024

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to little engine that could (the)

if looks could killone could do it in one's sleephe could be her fatherengine roomI spy with my little eyecry like a little girllittle oldone could be someone's parenti could eat a horselittle did [they] know/realize/imaginei could have been a contenderemploy a steam engine to crack a nutpoor little rich girllittle woman

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    "little engine that could (the)." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/little-engine-that-could-(the)_64303>.

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