the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings

The phrase "the opera ain't over till the fat lady sings" is an idiomatic expression that means a particular situation or event is not yet concluded or finalized until a specific decisive moment or action occurs. It originated from the world of opera, where the final act or scene often features a powerful soprano singer delivering a climactic or emotionally charged performance. The term "fat lady" in this context refers to the stereotype of a large-bodied female opera singer often associated with such roles. Essentially, the phrase emphasizes the importance of not prematurely assuming the outcome or result of an ongoing situation.