According to thefreedictionary.com, “onward and upward” is an expression that is defined as “something that you say in order to encourage someone to forget an unpleasant experience or failure and to think about the future instead.” Ah, the future! ... Optimism is defined as the ability to overcome adversity.

What does Onwards and upwards mean?

: toward a better condition or higher level He is moving onward and upward in his business career.

What is the origin of onwards and upwards?

ONWARD AND UPWARD - "We must continue to advance, to improve." The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Wings Books, Originally New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985) credits "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell for this phrase. .