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Proverbs in English With Meanings and Example Sentences
Proverbs in English With Meanings and Example Sentences
Example Sentences
A proverb is a short, simple, concrete, pithy saying that expresses a general truth or
piece of advice. Proverbs can be used in any circumstance, to give others advice or
enlighten them about the situation they are in.
Here’s a list of the most common proverbs in English for students with meanings and
example sentences.
Meaning: One who regularly makes angry or threatening statements rarely acts
upon them.
Example: My boss threatens to fire me at least once a week, but a barking dog never
bites.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: It’s better to hold onto something that you already have than to risk losing
it by trying to attain something better.
Example: Stephan decided against selling off his small clothing shop for the
prospects of starting a bigger one. He realized that a bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Meaning: If you sort out a problem immediately it will save you extra work later.
Example: Stephan: My back has started causing problems, but it can’t see a doctor
because of work. Ricky: You should get your back looked at right away or it will get
much worse! A stitch in time saves nine!
Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say. Actions shows your
intentions and feelings more clearly than what you say.
Example: You don’t have to keep saying that you do the most work in the office.
Remember that actions speak louder than words.
All good things must come to an end
Meaning: It means that everything that looks good may not actually be all that
good.
Example: I know that Stephan is a handsome boy but don’t forget all that glitters is
not gold.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Meaning: It means that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored
and boring.
Example: Stephan come out to the watch a match with us tonight! All work and no
play makes Jack a dull boy.
All’s fair in love and war
Meaning: It is used where people do not follow the usual rules and do things that
are normally considered unfair or wrong.
Example: I had to flatter the boss in order to get that big promotion. All’s fair in love
and war.
All’s well that ends well
Meaning: It is used to describe a situation that started with problems but ended on
positive or satisfactory note.
Example: The groom was late for the wedding, but everything worked out all right.
All’s well that ends well.
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth
Meaning: People who are full of talk, are low on action. Don’t be afraid of people
that threaten you because they rarely take action.
Example: Stephan looks all rough and dangerous, and talks tough, but he is all bark
and no bite.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Meaning: That which one person finds beautiful may not appeal to another.
Example: I don’t see why he finds her attractive; but, beauty is in the eye of the
beholder, as they say.
Meaning: People who need something should be satisfied with what they get even if
it is not exactly what they wanted
Example: I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but
beggars can’t be choosers.
Better late than never
Meaning: It is better to do something or arrive after the expected time than not do it
or arrive at all.
Example: Stephan finally paid me the money he owed me. Well, better late than
never.
Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People of the same sort or with the same tastes and interests will often
spend time with each other.
Example: These health professionals sure were birds of a feather.
Cleanliness is next to godliness
Meaning: It is very important to keep yourself clean. Being clean is a sign of spiritual
purity or goodness.
Example: My mother is always adamant that we wash our hands before eating
because cleanliness is next to godliness.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
Meaning: People who constantly fear death feel the stress associated with it many
times before actually dying.
Example: Coward dies many times before their death but the valiant never taste of
death but once.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: One should not put all their resources into one thing as one could lose
everything.
Example: It would be prudent to diversify your investments, as you should not put all
your eggs in one basket.
Don’t put the cart before the horse
Meaning: Don’t assume that something will definitely happen before it really does.
Example: You may get the job, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch; wait
till you get the offer letter before you throw the party.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Luck is usually on the side of those who take chances and risks.
Example: Stephan decided to ask out the most beautiful girl in school because
fortune favours the brave.
God helps those who help themselves
Meaning: Said about a situation in which you must accept less than you wanted.
Example: I know they’re offering you less money than you’d hoped for, but at least
it’s a good job – half a loaf is better than none.
Meaning: If you do something dangerous, chances are you will get hurt.
Example: You are playing with fire if you are not doing the work you boss is asking
you to do. He might fire you.
It takes two to make a quarrel
Meaning: It takes two or more people to cause a quarrel; one cannot blame an
argument entirely on one side .
Example: Stephan it’s not just my fault. It takes two to make a quarrel.
It’s never too late to mend
Meaning: It is never too late to repair something you have done wrong.
Example: Well, it’s never too late to mend; why don’t you call Stephan up and
apologize for what you did?
It’s no use crying over spilt milk
Meaning: One shouldn’t worry about things that have already happened and can’t
be changed.
Example: Stephan lost all his money and there is nothing he can do about it – It’s no
use crying over spilled milk.
It’s better to be safe than sorry
Meaning: The more one knows, the more one will be able to control events.
Example: You should try to get as much information as possible about the job. As
they say knowledge is power.
Laughter is the best medicine
Meaning: If you really need to do something, you will think of a way of doing it
Example: If you want to invent something, think about what people need. Necessity
is the mother of invention.
No man is an island
Meaning: No one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others. This saying comes from
a sermon by John Donne.
Example: You can’t manage this all by yourself; no man is an island.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
Meaning: People who have faults should not criticize other people for having the
same faults.
Example: Stephan been hounding Ricky for not performing well in the game, but he
himself hasn’t done well in last few matches. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw
stones!
Practice makes perfect
Meaning: You should continue doing something multiple times, if you want to learn
to do it very well.
Example: You should continue working on your tennis serve to get the desired
results. Practice makes perfect!
Rome was not built in a day
Meaning: If you work slowly but constantly, you will succeed better than if you work
fast for a short while and do not continue.
Example: You might be slow at what you are doing but you will succeed if you
continue doing. Slow and steady wins the race.
The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: The person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain
the advantage over others.
Example: We need to get to the store early if we want to have the best selection. The
early bird catches the worm
The forbidden fruit is the sweetest
Meaning: People are drawn to things that they are forbidden from doing or having.
Example: He went after her just because the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
Meaning: Other people’s lives or situations always seem better than your own.
Example: You might think you’d be happy if you were working in my company, but,
well, the grass is greener on the other side.
The pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: The power of the written word is far more powerful than the force of a
sword.
Example: The Founding Fathers of the United States of America considered the pen
to be mightier than the sword, and therefore were able to gain the freedom of
America by uniting the colonists
The squeaky wheel gets the grease
Meaning: You should follow the conventions and customs of the place in which you
are residing or visiting.
Example: Having travelled so many countries, the only advice that I give is that when
in Rome, do as the Romans.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going
Meaning: When conditions become difficult, strong people continue working harder.
Example: The football team was losing the game, so at half time the coach reminded
them that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Meaning: To have or do two things that one desires that are normally contradictory
or impossible to have or do simultaneously.
Example: You can’t have your cake and eat it – if you want more local services, you
can’t expect to pay less tax.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks