ESL Proverbs and Sayings

Absence / noun

Absence makes the heart grow fonder (saying) used to say that when you are away from sb that you love,you love them even more.

As count/verb

There’s no accounting for ‘teste (saying) use to say s difficult it is to understand why sb like sb/ sth that you do not like at all:She thinks he’s wonderful-oh well,there’s no accounting for taster.

Action/noun

Actions speak louder than ‘words (saying) used to say that a performance, an event etc. Will be successful even if the preparations for it have not gone well.

All right/adj

It’ll be all right on the night (saying) used to say that a performance,an event,etc.will be successful even if the preparations for it have not gone well.

Apple/noun

The apple doesn’t fall/never falls far from the tree (saying, especially NamE) a child usually behaves in a similar way to his or her parent(s)

Beat/verb

If you can’t beat them,join them (saying) if you cannot defeat sb or be as successful as they are,then it is more sensible to join them in what they are doing and perhaps get some advantage for yourself by doing so

Beauty/noun

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (saying) people all have different ideas about what is beautiful beauty is only skin-deep (saying) how a person looks is less important than their character

Bed/noun

You’ve made you bed and you must lie in/on it (saying) you must accept the results of your actions

Beg.ger/noun

Beggars can’t be choosers(saying)people say beggars can choosers when there is no choice and sb must be satisfied with what is available

Believe/verb

Seeing is believing (saying) used to say that sb will have to believe that sth is true when they see it,although they do not think it is true now

Bird/noun

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (saying) it is better to keep sth that you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get much more birds of a feather (flock together)(saying) people of the same sort (are found together)

Blood/noun

Blood is thicker than water (saying) family relationship are stronger that any other

Born/verb

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth (saying) having rich parents there’s one born every minute (saying) used to say that sb is very stupid

Boy/noun

Boy will be boys (saying) you should not be surprised when boys or men behave in a noisy or rough way as this is part of typical male behaviour

Cat/noun

When the cat’s away the mice will play (saying) people enjoy themselves more and behave with greater freedom when the person is charge of them is not there

Charity/noun

Charity begins at home (saying) you should help and care for your own family,etc.before you start helping other people

Clould/noun

Every cloud has a silver lining (saying) every sad or difficult situation has a positive side

Coat/noun

Cut your coat according to your cloth (saying) to do only what you have enough money to do and no more

Company/noun

Two’s a company (three’s a crowd) ( saying) used to suggest that better to be in a group of only two people than have a third person with you as will

Cook/verb

Too many cooks spoil the broth (saying) if too many people are involved in doing sth,it will not be done well

Count/verb

Don't court your chickens (before they are hatched) (saying) you should not be too confident that sth will be successful,because sth may still go wrong

Curiosity/noun

Curiosity killed the cat (saying) used to tell sb not to ask questions or try to find out about things that do not concern them

Devil/noun

Better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t) (saying) used to say that it is easier and wiser to say in a bad situation that you know and can deal with rather that change to a new situation which may be much worse the devil looks after his own (saying) bad people often seem to have good luck the devil makes work for idle hands (saying) people who do not have enough to do often start to do wrong:She blamed the crimes on the local jobless teenagers. ‘The devil makes work for idle hands,’ she would say”

Die/noun

The die is cast (saying) used to say that an events has happened or a decision has been made that cannot be changed

Discretion/noun

Discretion is the better part of valour (saying) you should avoid danger and not take unnecessary risks

Dog/noun

Every dog has his/its day (saying) everyone has good luck or success at some point in their life give a dog bad name (saying) when a person already has a bad reputation,it is difficult to change it because other will continue to blame or suspect him/her why keep a dog and bark yourself? (informal,saying) if sb can do a task for you,there is no point in doing it yourself.

Early/adj

The,early bird catches the worm (saying) the person who takes the opportunity to do sth before other people will have an advantage over them

Easy/adj

Be easier said than done (saying) to be much more difficult to do than talk about: “why don’t you get yourself a job? ‘That’s easier said than done.’easy come,easy go (saying) used to mean that sb does not care very much about money or possessions especially if they spend it or lost sth

Eat/verb

Eat,drink and be merry (saying) said to encourage sb to enjoy life now,while they can,and not to think of the future

End/end/noun

The end justified the means (saying) bad or unfair methods of doing sth are acceptable if the result of that action is good or positive

English man/noun

An English man’s home is his castle (a man’s home is his castle) (saying) a person’s home is a place where they can be private and safe and do as they like

Enough/pron

Enough is enough (saying) used when you think that sth should not continue any longer

Equal/adj

Some (people,members,etc.) are more equal than others (saying) although the members of a society,group,etc.appear to be equal,some,in fact,get better treatment that others.This phrase is used by one of the pigs in the book ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell : ‘All animal are equal but some animals are more equal that others.’

Exception/noun

The exception that proves the rule (saying) people say that sth is the exception that proves the rule when they are starting sth that seems to be different from the normal situation,but they mean that the normal situation remains true in general: Most electronics companies have not done well this year,but ours is the exception that proves the rule

Eye/noun

An eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth) (saying) used to say that you should punish sb by doing to them what they have done to you or to sb else what the eye doesn’t ‘see (the heart doesn’t grieve over) (saying) if a person does not know about sth that they would normally disapprove of,then it cannot hurt them: What does it matter if i use his flat while he’s away?What the eye doesn’t see....!

Fair/adj

All’s fair in love and war (saying) in some situations any type of behaviour is acceptable to get what you want

Familiarity/noun

Familiarity breeds contempt (saying) knowing sb/sth very well may cause you lose admiration and respect for them/it

Famous/adj

Famous last words (saying) people sometimes say Famous last words!when they think sb is being too confident about sth that is going to happen: ‘Everything’s under control.’ ‘Famous last words!.This phrase refers to a collection of quotations of the dying word of famous people.

Far/adv

So far, so good (saying) used to say that things have been successful until now and you hope they will continue to do so,but you know the task,etc.is not finished yet

Fat/adj

It’s not over until the fat lady sings (saying) used for saying that a situation may still change,for example that a contest,election,etc.is not finished yet,and ab still has a chance to win it

Father/noun

Like father like son (saying)used to say that a son’s character or behaviour is similar to that of his father

Finder/noun

Finders keepers (saying) (often used by children) anyone who finds sth has a right to keep it

First/det, ord number

There’s a first time for everything (saying,humorous) the fact that sth has not happened before does not mean that it will never happen at first at or in the beginning:I didn’t like the job much at first.At first I thought he was shy,but then I discovered he was just not interested in the other people.(saying) If at first you don’t succeed,try,try again.first come,first served (saying) people will be dealt with,seen,etc.strictly in the order in which they arrive:Tickets are available on a first come,first served basis

Flaunt/verb

If you’ve got it, flaunt it (humorous,saying) used to tell sb that they should not be afraid of allowing other people to see their qualities and abilities

Fool/noun

A fool and his money are soon parted (saying) a person who is not sensible usually spends money too quickly or carelessly,or is cheated by other fools rush in (where angles fear to tread (saying) people with little experience try to do the difficult or dangerous things which more experienced people would not consider doing (there’s) no fool like an old fool (saying) an older person who behaves in a stupid way is worse than a younger person who does the same thing,because experience should have taught him or her not to do it

Forewarn/verb

Forewarned is forearmed (saying) if you know about problems,dangers,etc.before they happen,you can better prepared for them

Friend/noun

A friend in need (is a friend indeed) (saying) a friend who gives you help when need it (is a true friend)

frying pan/noun

Out of the frying pan into the fire (saying) from a bad situation to one that is worse

Game/noun

Two can play at that game (saying) used to tell sb who has played a trick on you that you can do the same thing to them

Garden/noun

Everything in the garden is rosy everything is fine

Go/verb

What goes around comes around (saying) 1.the way sb behaves towards other people will affect the way those people behave towards them in the future.2.something that is not fashionable now will become fashionable again in the future

Going/noun

When the going gets tough (the tough get going) (saying) when conditions or progress become difficult (strong and determined people work even harder to succeed)

Gold/noun

All that glitters/glistens is not gold (saying) not everything that seems good,attractive,etc.is actually good,etc.

Grace/noun

There but for the grace of God (saying) used to say that you could easily have been in the same difficult or unpleasant situation that sb else is in

Grass/noun

The grass is (always) greener on the other side (of the fence) (saying) said about people who never seem happy with what they have and always think that other people have a better situation than they have

Greek/noun

It’s all Greek to me (informal, saying) I cannot understand it: She tried to explain how the system works,but it’s all Greek to me

Grow/verb

money doesn’t grow on trees (saying) used to tell sb not to use sth or spend money carelessly because you do not have a lot of it

Half/det, pron

Half a loaf is better than no bread (saying) you should be grateful for sth,even if it is not as good,much,etc.as you really wanted; something is better than nothing

Hand/noun

All hands on deck (also allhands to the pump) (saying ,humorous) everyone helps or must help,especially in a difficult situation:There are 30 people coming to dinner tonight, so it’s all hands on deck.many hands make light work (saying) used to say a job is made easier if a lot of people help

Haste/noun

More haste, less speed (BrE ,saying) you will finish doing sth sooner if you do not try to do it too quickly because you will make fewer mistakes

Hatch/noun

Down the hatch (informal ,saying)used before drinking sth,especially to express good wishes before drinking alcohol

Hay/noun

Make hay while the sun shines (saying) to make good use of opportunities,good conditions, etc.while they last

Head/noun

Two heads are better than one (saying) used to say that two people can achieve more than one person working alone

Hesitate/verb

He who hesitates (is lost) (saying) if you delay in going sth you may lose a good opportunity

Home/noun

Home is where the heart is (saying) a home is where the people you love are

Honour/noun

(there is) honour among thieves (saying) used to say that even criminals have standards of behaviour that they respect

Hope/noun

Hope spring eternal (saying) people never stop hoping

Horse/noun

You can lead /take a horse to water,but you can’t make it drink (saying) you can give sb the opportunity to do sth ,but you cannot force them to do it if they do not want to

Ignorance/noun

Ignorance is bliss (saying) if you do not know about sth,you cannot worry about it: Some doctors believe ignorance is bliss and don’t give their patients all the facts

Ill/adj

It’s an ill wind (that blows nobody any good) (saying) no problem is so bad that it does not bring some advantage to sb

Inch/noun

Give sb an inch (and they’ll take a mile /yard) (saying) used to say that if you allow some people a small amount of freedom or power they will see you as weak and try to take a lot more

Judge/verb

Don’t judge a book by its cover (saying) used to say that you should not form an opinion about sb/sth from their appearance only

Kill/adj

Kill the goose that lays the golden egg/ eggs (saying) to destroy sth that would make you rich,successful,etc.

Late/adj

Better late than never (saying)used especially when you,or sb else,arrive/arrives late,or when sth such as success happens late,to say that this is better that not coming or happening at all

Laugh/verb

He who laughs last laughs longest (saying) used to tell sb not to be too proud of their present success;in the end another person may be more successful

Leap/verb

Look before you ‘leap (saying) used to advise sb to think about the possible results or dangers of sth before doing it

Leopard/noun

A leopard cannot change its spots (saying) people cannot change their character,especially if they have a bad character

Life/noun

Where there’s life (there’s hope) (saying) in a bad situation you must not give up hope because there is always a chance that it will improve

Light/noun

The light are on but nobody’s home (saying) humorous) used to describe sb who is stupid,not thinking clearly or not paying attention

Lightning/noun

Lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice (saying) an unusual or unpleasant events is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice

Live/verb

Live and let live (saying) used to say that you should accept other people’s opinions and behaviour even though they are different from your own,live to fight another day (saying) used to say that although you have failed or had a bad experience,you will continue

Love/noun

Love is ‘blind (saying) when you love sb, you cannot see their faults

Man/noun

Every man for himself (saying) people must take care of themselves and not give or expect any help: In business, it’s every man for himself.one man’s meat is another man’s poison (saying) used to say that different people like different things;what one person likes very much,another person does not like at all you can’t keep a good man ‘down (saying) a person who is determined or want sth very much will succeed

Marry/verb

Marry in haste(repent at leisure) (saying) people who marry quickly, without really getting to know each other,may discover later that have made a mistake

Merry/adj

The more the merrier (saying) the more people or things there are,the better the situation will be or the more fun people will have: ‘Can I bring a friend to your party? ‘Sure-the more the merrier!’

Might/noun

Might is right (saying) having the power to do sth gives you the right to do it: Their foreign policy is based on the principle that ‘might is right’.

Miss/noun

A miss is as good as a mile (saying) there is no real difference between only just falling in sth and failing in it badly because the result is still the same

Money/noun

Money talks (saying) people who have a lot of money have more power and influence than others

Mouth/noun

Out of the mouths of babies (and sucklings) (saying) used when a small child has just said sth that seems very wise or clever

Muck/noun

Where there’s muck there’s brass (BrE ,saying) used to say that a business activity that is unpleasant or dirty can bring in a lot to be false

Mud/noun

Mud sticks (saying) people remembers and believe the bad things they hear about other people,even if they are later shown to be false

Necessity/noun

Necessity is the ,mother of invention (saying) a difficult new problem forces people to think of a solution to it

Needs/noun

Needs must (when the Devil drives) (saying) in certain situations it is necessary for you to do sth that you do not like or enjoy

News/noun

No news is good news (saying) if there were bad news we would hear it,so as we have heard nothing,it is likely that nothing bad has happened

Oak/noun

Great/tall oaks from little acorns grow (saying) something large and successful often begin in a very small way

Omelette/noun

You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs (saying) you cannot achieve sth important without causing a few small problems

Once/adv

Once bitten,twice shy (saying) after an unpleasant experience you are careful to avoid sth similar

One/number det

When you’ve seen, heard, etc. one, you’ve seen, heard ,etc.them all (saying) used to say that all types of the things mentioned are very similar: I don’t like science fiction novels much.When you’ve read one,you’ve read them all.

Only/adv

You’re only young once(saying)young people should enjoy themselves as much as possible,because they will have to work and worry later in their lives

Pain/noun

Nopain,no gain(saying )used to say that you need to suffer if you want to achieve sth

Pay/verb

He who pays the piper calls the tune (saying) the person who provides the money for sth can also control how it is spent

Pen/noun

Thepen is mightier than the sword(saying)people who write books,poems,etc.have a greater effect on history and human affairs than soldiers and wars

Penny/noun

In for a penny in for a pound (BrE,saying) used to say that since you have started to do sth, it is worth spending as much time (saying) or money as you need coin order to complete it a, penny for your ‘thoughts / a penny for them (saying) used to ask sb what they are thinking about

People/ noun

People (who live) in glass house shouldn’t throw stones (saying) you should not criticize other people , because they will easily find ways of criticizing you

Pig/ noun

Pigs might fly (BrE) (NamE when pigs fly) (ironic,saying) used to show that you do not believe sth will ever happen:’ with a bit of luck, we’ll be finished by the end of the year.’ Yes, and pigs might fly!’

Plus/ noun

Plus ca change (saying ,from french) used as a way of saying that people and situations never really change over time, although they may appear to

Policy/ noun

Honesty is the best policy (saying)

Port / noun

Any port in a storm (saying) if you are in great trouble, you take any help that is offered

Possession / noun

Possession is nine tenths of the ‘law (saying) if you already have or control sth, it is difficult for sb else to take if away from you,even if they have the legal right to it

Pot / noun

The pot calling the kettle black (saying, informal) used to say that you should not criticize sb for a fault that you have yourself

Practice / noun

Practice makes perfect (saying) a way of encouraging people by telling them that if you do an activity regularly and try to improve your skill, you will become very good at it

Prevention / noun

Prevention is better than cure(BrE) (us an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure) (saying) it is better to stop sth bad from happening rather than try to deal with the problems after it has happened

Price/prais/noun

Everyone has their price (saying) you can persuade anyone to do sth by giving them more money or sth that they want

Pride/praid/noun

Pride come/goes before a fall (saying) if you have too high an opinion of yourself or your abilities.,sth will happen to make you look stupid

Proof/ noun

The proof of the pudding (is in the eating) (saying) you can only judge if sth is good or bad when you have tried it.

Rain/rem/verb

It never rains but it pours (BrE) (Name when it rains,it pour) (saying) used to say that when one bad thing happens to you ,other bad things happen soon after

Reap/verb

You reap what you sow(saying) you have to deal with the bad effect or results of sth that you originally started

Road/noun

The road to hell is paved with good intentions (saying) it is not enough to intend to do good things:you must actually do them

Rob/verb

Rob Peter to pay Paul (saying) to borrow money from one person to pay back what you owe to another person;to take money from one thing to use for sth else

Roll/verb

A rolling stone gathers no moss (saying) a person who moves from place to place,job to job,etc.does not have a lot money,possessions or friends but is free from responsibilities.

Rome/noun

Rome wasn’t built in a day (saying) used to say that a complicated task a long time and needs patience when in Rome(do as the Romans do) (saying) used to say that when you are in a foreign country,or a situation you are not familiar with,you should behave in the way that the people around you behave.

Rose/noun

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet (saying) what is important is what people or things are ,not what they are called

Safe/better safe than sorry (saying) used to say that it is wiser to be too careful than to act too quickly and do sth you may later wish you had not

Safety/noun

Safety first (saying)safety is the most important thing there’s ,safety in number (saying) being in a group makes you safer and makes you feel more confident

Sauce/noun

What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (old-fashioned, saying) what one person is allowed to do,another person must be allowed to do in a similar situation

Say/verb

Least said soonest mended (BrE ,saying) a sad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it,never say die (saying) do not stop hoping

Scratch/verb

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours (saying) used to say that if sb helps you,you will help them,even it this is unfair to other

Share/verb

Share and share alike (saying) used to say that everyone should share things equally and in a fair way

Sight/noun

Out of sight, out of mind (saying) used to say sb will quickly be forgotten when they are no longer with you

S.lence/noun

Silence is golden (saying) it is often best no to say anything

Six/number

It’s six ofone and half a dozen of the other (saying) used to say that there is not much real difference between two possible choices

Sleep/verb

Let sleeping dogs lie (saying) to avoid mentioning a subject or sth that happened in the past, in order to avoid any problems or arguments

Slip/noun

There’s, many a ‘slip ‘twixt, cup and ‘lip (saying) nothing is completely certain until it really happens because things can easily go wrong

Small/adj

It’s a small world (saying) used to express your surprise when you meet sb you know in an unexpected place,or when you are talking to sb and find out that you both know the same person

Smoke/noun

(there is) no smoke without fire (BrE) (NamE where there’s smoke, there’s fire) (saying) if sth bad is being said about sb/sth,it usually has some truth in it

Sort/noun

It takes all sorts (to make a world) (saying) used to say that you think sb’s behavior is very strange or unusual but that everyone is different and likes different things

Sour/adj

Sour grapes (saying) used to show that you think sb is jealous and is pretending that sth is not important: He said he didn’t want the job anyway,but that’s just sour grapes

Spirit/noun

The spirit is willing (but the ,flesh is ‘weak) (humorous saying) you intend to do good things but you are too lazy,weak or busy to actually do them

Spoil/verb

Spoil the ship for a ha’porth/ ha’pennyworth of tar (saying) to spoil sth good because you did not spend enough money or time on a small but essential part of it

Step/noun

One step forward, two step back (saying) used to say that every time you make progress,sth bad happens that means that the situation is worse than before

Still/adj

still waters run deep (saying) a person who seems to be quiet or shy may surprise you by knowing a lot or having deep feelings

Stitch/noun

A stitch in ‘ime (saves nine) (saying) it is better to deal with sth immediately because if you wait it may become worse or more difficult and cause extra work

Street/noun

The streets are ,paved with ‘gold (saying) used to say that it seems easy to make money in a place

Strike/verb

Strike while the ion is hot (saying)to make use of an opportunity immediately.This expressions refers to a blacksmith making a shoe for a horse.He has to strike/hammer the iron while it is hot enough to bend into the shape of the shoe

Succeed/verb

Nothing succeeds like success (saying) when you are successful in one area of your life,it often leads to success in other areas

Swallow/noun

One swallow doesn’t make a summer (saying) you must not take too seriously a small sign that sth is happening or will happen in the future, because the situation could change

Teach/verb

(you can’t) teach an old dog new tricks (saying) (you cannot) successfully make people change their ideas,methods of work, etc.,when they have had them for a long time

Tell/verb

You can never tell ]you never can tell (saying) you can never be sure,for example because things are not always what they appear to be

Thing/noun

These things are sent to try us (saying) used to say that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change it

Time/noun

(there is) no time like the present (saying) now is the best time to do sth,not in the future time ‘flies (saying) time seems to pass very quickly: How time flies! I’ve got to now . Time has flown since the holiday began.This phrase is a translation of the Latin ‘tempus fugit’.time is ‘money (saying) time is valuable,and should not be wasted time (alone) will tell. only time will tell (saying) used to say that you will have to wait for some time to find out the result of a situation: Only time will tell if the treatment has been successful

Tin/noun

(it) does (exactly) what it says on the tin (informal ,saying)used to say that sth is as good or effective as it claims to be,or that it really does what it claims to do.This expression is especially used when you are comparing are publicity and advertisements with actual products: I paid 150 for this camera and am more than happy with it. It does exactly what it says on the tin!

Touch/verb

touch wood (BrE) (NamE, knock on wood) (saying) used when you have just mentioned some way in which you have been lucky in the past,to avoid bringing bad luck: I’ve been driving for over 20 years and never had an accident-touch wood!

Trouble/noun

A trouble shared is a trouble halved (saying) if you talk to sb about your problems and worries,instead of keeping them of keeping them to yourself,they seems less serious

Truth/noun

truth is stranger than fiction (saying) used to say that things that actually happen are often more surprising than stories that are invented (the) truth will out (saying) used to say that people will find out the true facts about a situation even if you try to keep them secret

Turn/noun

one good turn deserves another (saying) you should help sb who has helped you

Twain/noun

Never the twain shall meet (saying) used to say that two things are so different that they cannot exist together

Two/number

It takes two to do sth (saying) one person cannot be completely responsible for sth: You can’t put all the blame on him.It takes two to make a marriage

Variety/noun

Variety is the spice of life (saying) new and exciting experiences make life more interesting

Venture/verb

Nothing ventured,nothing gained (saying) used to say that you have to take risks if you want to achieve things and successful

Virtue/noun

virtue is its own reward (saying) the reward for acting in a moral or correct way is the knowledge that you have done so,and you should not expect more than this, for example praise from other people or payment

Wall/noun

walls have ears (saying) used to warn people to be careful what they say because other people may be listening

Waste/verb

waste not, want not (saying) if you never waste anything,especially food or money,you will always have it when you need it

Watch/verb

A watched pot never boils (saying) used to say that when you are impatient for sth to happen,time seems to pass very slowly

Way/noun

Go the way of all flesh (saying) to die (there are) no two ways about it (saying) used to show that you can certain about it.there’s more than one way to skin a cat (saying ,humorous) there are many different ways to achieve sth

Well/adv

(you, etc.) may/might as well be hanged/hung for a sheep as (for) a lamb (saying) if you are going to be punished for doing sth wrong, whether it is a big or small thing,you may as well do the big things

Will/noun

Where there’s a will there’s a way (saying) if you really want to do sth then you will find a way of doing it

Wish/noun

If wishes were horses, beggars would/might ride (saying) for sth does not make it happen the wish is father to the thought (saying) we believe a thing because we want it to be true

Work/noun

All work and no play (makes Jack a dull ‘boy) (saying) it is not healthy to spend all your time working;you need to relax too

Worm/noun

The ,worm will ‘turn (saying) a person who is normally quiet and does not complain will protest when the situation becomes too hard to bear

Worth/adj

(the game is) not worth the candle (old-fashioned, saying) the advantages to be gained from doing sth are not great enough,considering the effort or cost involved

Writing/noun

The writing is on the wall (see the,writing on the wall) (NamE also the handwriting on the wall) (saying) used when you describing a situation in which there are signs that sth is going to have problems or that it is going to be failure: It is amazing that not one of them saw the writing on the wall.From the Bible story in which strange writing appeared on a wall during a feast given by King Belshazzar, predicting Belshazzar’s death and the fall of his city.

Wrong/noun

Two wrong don’t make a right (saying) used to say that if sb does sth bad to you,the situation will not be improved by doing sth bad to them.