50 Essential English Proverbs: Meanings and Examples

Hello everyone,

Let’s talk about proverbs today.

Proverbs are brief, easy-to-remember phrases that usually have wise, truthful, or helpful messages.

They have been handed down from one generation to another and are a significant aspect of various cultures, including those that speak English.

Knowing these proverbs can really improve your understanding of the English language and give you a better understanding of cultural beliefs and viewpoints.

In this post, we will look at 50 important English proverbs, clarify what they mean, and give examples of how they are used in everyday life.

Let’s get started!

“Actions speak louder than words.”

Meaning: What a person does is more significant than what they say they will do.

Example: Tom promised to help with the charity event, but he didn’t show up. I guess actions speak louder than words.

“The early bird catches the worm.”

Meaning: Those who arrive first or start early have the best chance of success.

Example: Sarah always arrives at the office an hour before everyone else. She believes the early bird catches the worm.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Meaning: When visiting a different place or culture, follow the customs of the people there.

Example: I don’t usually eat with chopsticks, but when I visited Japan, I decided that when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Meaning: Written words are more powerful and effective than physical force or violence.

Example: The journalist’s exposé on corruption led to major political changes, proving once again that the pen is mightier than the sword.

“Practice makes perfect.”

Meaning: Regular practice of a skill leads to improvement and eventual mastery.

Example: Don’t get discouraged if you can’t play the piano piece perfectly yet. Remember, practice makes perfect.

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

Meaning: There’s always something positive or hopeful in a negative situation.

Example: I lost my job, but it gave me time to start my own business. Every cloud has a silver lining.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

Meaning: Don’t risk everything on a single venture or opportunity.

Example: It’s wise to diversify your investments. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

“You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Meaning: Don’t form an opinion about someone or something based solely on appearances.

Example: At first, I thought the new employee wouldn’t fit in, but you can’t judge a book by its cover. She turned out to be a great team player.

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“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Meaning: Responding to a wrongdoing with another wrongdoing is not justified or effective.

Example: I know he insulted you, but retaliating won’t solve anything. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

“The grass is always greener on the other side.”

Meaning: People often think others have it better than they do, even if it’s not true.

Example: She envies her friend’s job, but she doesn’t see the long hours and stress involved. The grass is always greener on the other side.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Meaning: A complex idea can often be conveyed more effectively with a single image than with words.

Example: Instead of describing the devastating effects of the hurricane, the newspaper simply printed a photograph of the aftermath. A picture is worth a thousand words.

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

Meaning: Don’t make plans based on future events that may not happen.

Example: He’s already planning how to spend his lottery winnings, but I told him not to count his chickens before they hatch.

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

Meaning: It’s better to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential for greater gain.

Example: I know you want to wait for a better job offer, but this one is pretty good. Remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Meaning: People in desperate need must accept what is offered to them, even if it’s not exactly what they want.

Example: I don’t love this apartment, but given my budget constraints, beggars can’t be choosers.

“Better late than never.”

Meaning: It’s better to do something after it was supposed to be done than not to do it at all.

Example: I finally finished my degree at 40. It took longer than expected, but better late than never.

“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

Meaning: Don’t act ungratefully towards someone who helps or supports you.

Example: He shouldn’t criticize his boss so harshly. It’s not wise to bite the hand that feeds you.

“Every dog has its day.”

Meaning: Everyone will have a chance to be successful or lucky at some point in their life.

Example: Don’t worry about not getting the promotion this time. Every dog has its day.

“Fortune favors the bold.”

Meaning: Those who are brave and take risks are more likely to succeed.

Example: She decided to start her own company despite the economic downturn. Fortune favors the bold, after all.

“Haste makes waste.”

Meaning: Rushing into things can lead to mistakes and actually waste more time in the long run.

Example: Take your time with the project. Haste makes waste, and we can’t afford any errors.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

Meaning: It’s always better to tell the truth than to lie.

Example: I decided to admit my mistake to the client. Honesty is the best policy, even when it’s difficult.

“If you can’t beat them, join them.”

Meaning: If you can’t defeat your opponents, it might be better to ally with them.

Example: After years of competing, the two companies decided to merge. If you can’t beat them, join them.

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

Meaning: Humor and laughter can help alleviate stress and make people feel better.

Example: Even during tough times, we try to keep our spirits up. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.

“Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Meaning: Don’t disturb a situation that is currently causing no problems but might do so if interfered with.

Example: I wouldn’t bring up that old argument again. It’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.

“Look before you leap.”

Meaning: Consider possible consequences before taking action.

Example: Make sure you research the company thoroughly before accepting their job offer. Look before you leap.

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Meaning: Money is a limited resource and should be used wisely.

Example: I know you want the latest smartphone, but money doesn’t grow on trees. We need to budget carefully.

“No pain, no gain.”

Meaning: Benefits or progress come only from hard work and effort.

Example: The training for the marathon is tough, but no pain, no gain.

“Once bitten, twice shy.”

Meaning: A bad experience makes people more cautious in the future.

Example: After losing money in a risky investment, he’s very careful with his finances now. Once bitten, twice shy.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Meaning: Important work or great achievements take time to complete.

Example: Don’t get discouraged if your business isn’t immediately successful. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Meaning: Children often resemble their parents in behavior or characteristics.

Example: I’m not surprised she became a doctor. Both her parents are in medicine. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“The best things in life are free.”

Meaning: The most valuable and important things in life, like love and happiness, don’t cost money.

Example: We had a wonderful day at the park with our kids. It’s true that the best things in life are free.

“There’s no place like home.”

Meaning: One’s home is the most comfortable and appealing place.

Example: After a long trip, I’m always happy to return to my own bed. There’s no place like home.

“Time is money.”

Meaning: Time is a valuable resource, and wasting time is like wasting money.

Example: Let’s keep this meeting brief and to the point. Time is money, after all.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

Meaning: Having too many people involved in a task can ruin it.

Example: The project failed because there were too many managers giving conflicting instructions. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Meaning: When a situation becomes difficult, strong people take action to deal with it.

Example: Despite the economic downturn, she worked harder than ever to keep her business afloat. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

Meaning: You can provide someone with an opportunity, but you can’t force them to take advantage of it.

Example: I’ve given him all the resources to improve his grades, but he’s not putting in the effort. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Meaning: A true friend is someone who helps you when you’re in trouble.

Example: When I lost my job, Sarah was there for me every step of the way. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

“All that glitters is not gold.”

Meaning: Things that appear valuable on the surface may not actually be so.

Example: The job offer seemed fantastic at first, but the working conditions were terrible. All that glitters is not gold.

“Don’t cry over spilled milk.”

Meaning: There’s no use worrying about past mistakes or unfortunate events that can’t be changed.

Example: I know you’re upset about losing the game, but don’t cry over spilled milk. Focus on the next match instead.

“The devil is in the details.”

Meaning: The details of a plan or task are often the most difficult or problematic part.

Example: The general concept for the project looks good, but we need to work out the specifics. The devil is in the details.

“A leopard can’t change its spots.”

Meaning: People can’t change their fundamental nature or character.

Example: I don’t trust him to manage the money. He’s been dishonest before, and a leopard can’t change its spots.

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

Meaning: The person who complains the most or is the most noticeable is the one who gets attention or service.

Example: If you want the issue resolved, you need to keep calling customer service. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

Meaning: Dealing with a problem early on can prevent it from becoming worse.

Example: You should get that small leak fixed now. A stitch in time saves nine.

“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”

Meaning: If you have the opportunity to do something now, do it instead of postponing it.

Example: Let’s finish this report tonight. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

“A watched pot never boils.”

Meaning: Time seems to pass more slowly when you’re waiting for something to happen.

Example: Stop checking your phone every minute for that important email. A watched pot never boils.

“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Meaning: No matter how carefully you plan, things can still go wrong.

Example: We had everything organized for the outdoor wedding, but then it rained. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

Meaning: The strength of a group or system is limited by its weakest member or part.

Example: We need to improve our customer service team. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Meaning: Being apart from someone or something for a while makes you appreciate them or it more when you’re together again.

Example: After a month-long business trip, I couldn’t wait to see my family. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

“Don’t put the cart before the horse.”

Meaning: Don’t do things in the wrong order or get ahead of yourself.

Example: We can’t start marketing the product before we’ve even finished developing it. Don’t put the cart before the horse.

“The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

Meaning: While being first can have advantages, sometimes it’s better to learn from others’ mistakes.

Example: Let our competitors launch their product first. We can learn from their mistakes and improve our own. The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

Meaning: You can’t have two incompatible things at the same time.

Example: You can’t work full-time and also have unlimited free time. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Final thoughts:

Learning and applying these sayings can really help you improve your English skills and give you a glimpse into cultural knowledge.

They give you short and sweet ways to talk about big ideas and can make your conversations more interesting.

Just remember to use them correctly and in the right situations.

As you practice, you’ll start using these phrases in your everyday English without even thinking about it, which will make your speech livelier and more colorful.