What does the saying laugh now and cry later mean?

The saying “laugh now, cry later” refers to the idea that people may experience short-term happiness or pleasure, but it often comes with the possibility of future consequences or difficulties. It suggests that while one might enjoy life or make decisions that seem fun or easy in the moment, there could be negative outcomes down the road that lead to regret or sadness.

It’s sometimes used to describe situations where people indulge in temporary enjoyment without considering the long-term effects, or it can refer to the cyclical nature of life, where joy and sorrow often coexist or follow one another.

The phrase became especially well-known as the title of a song by rapper Drake and is often associated with the theme of balancing pleasure and hardship.