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English proverbs

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This document provides summaries for over 30 common English sayings and idioms. Some of the key ones discussed include: - "Where there's a will there's a way" which means when someone is determined they will find a solution. - "A burnt child dreads fire" meaning a traumatic past experience can shape future attitudes and thinking. - "Discretion is the better part of valor" referring to avoiding danger being more sensible than acting rashly. - "An idle brain is the devil's workshop" suggesting that without purposeful activity, one will be tempted to misbehave.

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Between the devil and the To choose between two equally bad deep sea alternatives in a serious dilemma. Where there's a will there's a way When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it. A burnt child dreads fire A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime. First come, first served The first in line will be attended to first. A friend in need is a friend indeed A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend. Discretion is the better part of valor If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do. A hungry man is an angry man A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage. Empty vessels make the most noise Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss. A man is as old as he feels A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old. Great talkers are little doers Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work. An idle brain is the devil's workshop One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts. An ounce of discretion is It is better to be careful and discrete than to
worth a pound of wit be clever. Faint heart never won fair To succeed in life one must have the courage to lady pursue what he wants. A penny saved is a penny gained By being thrifty one will be able to save up. A rolling stone gathers no moss A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in life ; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done. As you sow, so you shall reap One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions. Barking dogs seldom bite Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out. Better late than never To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get. Birds of a feather flock together People of the same sort of character or belief always go together. Call a spade a spade If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression. Charity begins at home A person's first obligation should be to help the
member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others. Dead men tell no lies ( often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause one loss or get into serious trouble.) A great talker is a great liar A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar. Every cloud has a silver lining If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation. All that glitters is not gold Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive. Eat to live, but do not live to eat Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not born just to enjoy food. Don't put all your eggs in one basket One should not risk everything he has in a single venture. Every dog has its day Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime. Every one can find fault, few can do better It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than to do it properly or correctly. Any time means no time When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.
Fair exchange is no robbery A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was unfairly treated. Fire is a good servant but Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, a bad master will serve man well only when it is controlled and used wisely.

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English proverbs

  • 1. Between the devil and the To choose between two equally bad deep sea alternatives in a serious dilemma. Where there's a will there's a way When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it. A burnt child dreads fire A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime. First come, first served The first in line will be attended to first. A friend in need is a friend indeed A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend. Discretion is the better part of valor If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do. A hungry man is an angry man A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage. Empty vessels make the most noise Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss. A man is as old as he feels A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old. Great talkers are little doers Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work. An idle brain is the devil's workshop One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts. An ounce of discretion is It is better to be careful and discrete than to
  • 2. worth a pound of wit be clever. Faint heart never won fair To succeed in life one must have the courage to lady pursue what he wants. A penny saved is a penny gained By being thrifty one will be able to save up. A rolling stone gathers no moss A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in life ; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done. As you sow, so you shall reap One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions. Barking dogs seldom bite Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out. Better late than never To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get. Birds of a feather flock together People of the same sort of character or belief always go together. Call a spade a spade If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression. Charity begins at home A person's first obligation should be to help the
  • 3. member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others. Dead men tell no lies ( often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause one loss or get into serious trouble.) A great talker is a great liar A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar. Every cloud has a silver lining If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation. All that glitters is not gold Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive. Eat to live, but do not live to eat Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not born just to enjoy food. Don't put all your eggs in one basket One should not risk everything he has in a single venture. Every dog has its day Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime. Every one can find fault, few can do better It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than to do it properly or correctly. Any time means no time When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.
  • 4. Fair exchange is no robbery A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was unfairly treated. Fire is a good servant but Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, a bad master will serve man well only when it is controlled and used wisely.