Meaning & use
willing it into existence
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Meaning
phraseidiom
The act or practice of trying to make something happen by strong desire, belief, or positive thinking alone, without practical action.
Grammar: Used as a noun-like phrase; often after verbs like 'believe in' or in the pattern 'by willing it into existence'.
Patterns
- believe in willing something into existence
- by willing it into existence
She thinks she can get the job by simply willing it into existence.
The idea that you can will your dreams into existence ignores how much luck and work are involved.
He kept talking about willing the perfect relationship into existence, but he never actually went on a date.
Common combinations
- believe in willing something into existence
- Some people genuinely believe in willing their goals into existence.
- try to will something into existence
- You can't just try to will a successful business into existence.
- the power of willing something into existence
- The book overstates the power of willing good health into existence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- manifesting
- A popular term for using thoughts and beliefs to attract what you want; it often includes specific rituals, while 'willing it into existence' focuses on mental effort alone.
- wishful thinking
- This means believing something is true or will happen because you want it to, but it doesn't necessarily imply actively trying to make it happen by willpower.
Commonly confused: willing it into existence or willpower?
willing it into existence vs willpower
Willpower is the mental strength to control your actions or resist temptation, not the idea of making external events happen by thought alone.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase means trying to make something happen by desire or belief alone, without practical action. Option B fits because no real effort (applying) is mentioned. Option An involves real action (studying), so it doesn't fit. Options C and D describe concrete actions, not mere willing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “willing it into existence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.