I Will Not Always Be Your Friend Tell Yurself Everythings Ok Easy Come Easy Go Again

Have you ever had a day at work where people said the strangest things?

"The cat'south out of the handbag," a co-worker says at a staff meeting. "But information technology'south no use crying over spilled milk. We can even so make a lot of progress today."

"Ok guys, let's strike while the atomic number 26 is hot," says your boss.

When you lot inquire your boss what he means past that, he laughs.

"Keep up the proficient work with your English, buddy. Rome wasn't built in a twenty-four hour period."

Cats? Milk? Hot irons? Rome? What's going on here? The answer is that your co-workers are using proverbs.

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What Is a Proverb?

Proverbs are the traditional (historic) sayings of a country. They are short, clever sentences that usually offering life advice. Native English speakers frequently use them in conversation without even realizing it.

Proverbs tin teach you lot more about a country's culture than whatever textbook. They show what's important to the group of people, what is considered good behavior and what is bad beliefs. Proverbs tin can besides tell y'all the history of a place. For example, proverbs from farming towns volition employ a lot of farming linguistic communication, and line-fishing villages will talk near the sea.

So to better understand this linguistic communication, below are l of the tiptop English proverbs, clearly explained just for you lot!

50 Useful Proverbs All English Speakers Should Know

1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

'The grass is always greener" is a saying that teaches us information technology's not good to exist jealous (to want what other people have). It may seem similar everyone around you has "greener grass," significant nicer cars, better jobs, etc.

But your neighbour probably thinks you have greener grass too, which means that your friends and other people call up that you take better looks, a happier family, etc. And so instead of thinking about what everyone else has, this proverb wants you to be thankful for what y'all have.

two. Don't judge a book by its cover.

Things are not e'er what they seem. This maxim teaches yous not to make judgments about other people considering of how they await or dress. A book with a boring or plain encompass could be astonishing. The same is true with people. A person might wait like an athlete or fool, simply there is probably a lot more than to them than clothes suggest.

3. Strike while the iron is hot.

This onetime expression comes from the days of blacksmiths (people who work with metal). To shape the metal, the blacksmith would have to crush it with a hammer. Iron is easier to work with when it's hot. This proverb means yous should have reward of the moment. If an opportunity presents itself to you, take information technology! Take action because the chance may non come again.

four. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Or equally it'due south more commonly said, "Too many cooks in the kitchen." This is a well known feel—a lot people all trying to work in a kitchen around a small table or stovetop will make a mess and ruin the food. This proverb talks about the problem of as well many people trying to practise the same matter at once.

5. You lot tin can't accept your cake and consume it too.

If you eat your cake, y'all won't accept information technology anymore, volition you? So you can't do both. This maxim is about having 2 opposite desires, and how it's impossible to become both. Its significant is like to the proverb, "Y'all can't have the best of both worlds."

6. Many hands make lite work.

If a lot of people carry a heavy object, it does non feel heavy. That is the full general meaning of this maxim. If everyone works together to complete something—like cleaning, painting or group projects—then each person has less to do. More importantly, the task will be completed much more quickly.

7. When in Rome, exercise as the Romans do.

When you are a company somewhere away from home, you should act like everyone else. It is polite to do then, and could keep you lot from getting into trouble. This proverb is from the aboriginal days of the Roman Empire when the upper-case letter city had visitors from all over the world. Cultures were very different between cities in those times. Merely while in Rome, one would behave like a Roman, no matter where you came from.

eight. Don't cross the bridge until you come to it.

This proverb tells you not to worry so much! Problems will certainly come in the time to come. But what can be washed almost that now? It's better to call back near what y'all are doing right now—without worrying about the unknown—and take care of problems when they happen.

ix. Honesty is the best policy.

Lying a lot tin be difficult, because y'all might forget your lies. Before long enough, someone will find out you are lying. Then, y'all are in trouble. Or fifty-fifty if no ane always finds out, yous volition feel guilty for not telling the truth. Only if you are honest and tell the truth, people will believe y'all and respect y'all. Y'all will earn their trust and sleep well at night.

ten. Practice makes perfect.

It would be amazing if the first time you picked up a guitar you could play it like a rock star. Or if the first time you got in a car, you could drive like a professional person. Or if y'all could speak English language perfectly after one lesson. Everything is difficult when y'all are a beginner. But if you lot stick with it, if you go on practicing, you can master anything.

11. Where there's a volition, there's a mode.

This proverb is said to encourage people who want to give upwards. Sometimes, nosotros face up problems that seem impossible. But if yous want it bad enough, nothing can stand in your manner. That is what this proverb ways—if you have the will to meet the problems that are in front of yous, there is a way to overcome them.

12. Expect before you leap.

Don't rush into things! Make sure you know what is going to happen adjacent. You would not jump off a cliff without offset checking how far the ground is below or what there is to state on. You lot should look a few moments and brand sure it's a good thought to jump from that cliff. So when making a big "jump" in life, make sure you've looked at the state of affairs and really empathise it before you accept a large action.

13. Beggars can't be choosers.

If someone gives y'all free things or offers to aid y'all practise something, you lot can't inquire for a different colour or choose the perfect time in your schedule. When y'all receive free assist or appurtenances, y'all should accept what you're offered—you can't be picky (a "chooser") considering you're not paying!

xiv. Don't make a mountain out of an anthill.

People sometimes get very upset over small problems. This maxim reminds yous to take a moment and see how of import (or not important) the issue is. Messing upwards your laundry or existence belatedly for piece of work is non very of import when you consider your entire life. So it'southward important to stay calm and non go angry about tiny problems.

15. An apple tree a day keeps the doctor away.

An apple is full of Vitamin C, which keeps yous good for you. Still, the "apple" in this proverb means eating good for you in general. If you lot consume well and your diet includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, there will be no need to visit the doctor.

sixteen. The early bird catches the worm.

This saying is a lot like the phrase "first come up, first served." It simply means that it's usually best to be early. If you arrive earlier—whether information technology'due south to a clothing store, restaurant, conference, etc.—you will have the best options to choose from. If y'all come up later, though, the best clothes could have sold out, the restaurant could exist full and accept a long waiting time, etc.

17. Improve late than never.

While being the early bird is the all-time, even latecomers may get something for coming. It would exist a lot worse if they never came at all. This proverb is said virtually ending fights with people. Information technology's improve to apologize and make up years afterward, than to never resolve your fight at all.

18. The cat is out of the bag.

This proverb means that a secret has been told. Information technology comes from the Middle Ages and was common advice given in the market. You may have thought you purchased a tasty pig, merely the seller put a simple cat in the bag instead. To "allow the true cat out of the bag" was to reveal the seller's flim-flam.

19. 2 wrongs don't make a correct.

If somebody insults you or harms you ("a wrong"), doing the same to them ("two wrongs") will not brand everything okay. It will most likely crusade a back-and-forth fight without end. If somebody is mean to yous, don't be mean to them in return considering it's not correct to do so.

xx. Always put your best foot forward.

When you are starting on a project or a journey, it'southward all-time to offset with a good attitude and a lot of free energy. First impressions (what people think about you when they meet you for the first fourth dimension) tin last for a long time. That'south why this proverb is also used when meeting new people or for chore interviews. Having a positive attitude—your "best foot"—is the all-time fashion to make a good impression.

21. Rome wasn't built in a twenty-four hour period.

Rome is a great urban center. All the same, information technology took many years to exist completed. The builders did non rush to complete their piece of work and neither should you. If you wish to create something wonderful and long-lasting, you will have to spend more than a day working on it. You will probably have to spend several days, weeks or even months to do a proficient job. Take your fourth dimension and exercise it correct!

22. It'south better to exist prophylactic than pitiful.

Do everything possible to keep bad things from happening to you lot. It just takes a 2d to put on a seatbelt or to check that you lot locked the door. Only if you lot're not safe, the bad results can last a lifetime. And so information technology's best for you to be careful, otherwise you'll be sorry.

23. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

This maxim warns against acting mean to those who provide for y'all or who do nice things for you. If you were to bite the hand that gave you food, that hand probably won't come dorsum to feed y'all once again. So what would you swallow? And so you lot should be kind and thankful to those who care for you.

24. The squeaky cycle gets the grease.

If you have a problem but never talk about it, no one will assist y'all. How could they? But if you tell someone, things volition get better. This proverb is about someone who complains a lot (the "squeaky wheel") because they go more attention ("the grease"). For example, a child who cries a lot will go more attention from his mother than his silent brothers and sisters.

25. Don't bite off more than you tin can chew.

If yous take a bite of food that's too big, you won't be able to chew! Plus you could choke on all of that actress nutrient. It's the same if you take on more work or responsibleness than you can handle—you will accept a difficult time. So information technology'due south best not to go involved in likewise many projects, because you won't be able to focus and get them all done well.

26. Y'all fabricated your bed, at present you have to lie in it.

No one likes sleeping in a poorly fabricated bed. If you brand your bed with the sheets all tangled and blankets facing the wrong style, you can't switch with someone else. You accept to sleep in that bed. This proverb uses bed-making to describe any bad state of affairs in which you may find yourself. You tin't trade places with anyone else. You must live with the results of your actions, so make adept choices.

27. Actions speak louder than words.

The Greek philosopher Plato in one case said that action is character. People are not defined by what they say because a lot of talk does not mean anything. People are judged by the things they do. Your actions are more important than what yous say.

28. It takes two to tango.

This saying is frequently said during a fight in which i person is putting all of the blame on the other person, when both people were really responsible. But as one person can't tango (a Spanish dance with two people) alone, 2 people are responsible for some situations, and so you lot tin't just blame i person.

29. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

This proverb warns against being too eager. Just because yous have five eggs, does non mean you will have five chickens. It is not a good thought to make plans based on expectations (what you think volition happen). Wait for all things to come true earlier building upwardly your dreams. Or worse, your promises. Things may not happen like you idea they would and that could get you in trouble.

30. It'southward no utilize crying over spilled milk.

Milk is piece of cake to get. Y'all may get in trouble for spilling the milk, you shouldn't cry considering it isn't a large deal. Also, crying won't solve anything. This maxim advises you to stay calm during such small problems. Don't waste fourth dimension worrying virtually fiddling things that cannot be inverse. Clean up the mess and go buy some more milk.

31. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Be careful! If yous put all your goods in one handbag or all your money in 1 stock, you are taking a big run a risk. It is smarter to spread your wealth around. That way if one handbasket should break, you lot're not left with nothing.

32. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

"People in glass houses" ways anyone who is sensitive about their failures. People like this should not insult others (should not "throw stones") because most probable the other person volition turn around and insult you back. And like glass, which is piece of cake to break, your self-esteem (what you lot think of yourself) will easily break into pieces.

33. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Only a stone that is in the same place for a long time will have moss growing on it. A rock on the move will remain bare. The same is true with people. If yous remain in i place for a long fourth dimension, the signs of life—friends, family, objects and your local reputation (what people think of you)—volition grow on you. But non if you ever move from place to place.

34. Kickoff things outset.

This maxim advises you to practise things in the correct gild. Do not skip over the more than hard or less enjoyable tasks in social club to get to the easier, more fun ones. For example, if yous take an test to study for the same night your friend is having a political party, study for the exam offset. The party would be more fun, but the exam is more of import so it should be done first.

35. Still waters run deep.

"All the same waters run deep" describes people who are serenity and calm. These people frequently accept "deep," interesting personalities. So even if someone doesn't talk a lot, they could yet be very thoughtful. The proverb uses water to describe people. When the surface of a body of water is rough and fast, it usually means that it is shallow (non deep) and has rocks close to the surface, like in a river or stream. But h2o that is calm and still is oftentimes very deep, like in a lake.

36. If it ain't* broke, don't fix it.

This phrase is used when someone is trying to change or "better" a style of doing something that works perfectly well. Why change something that works? You could ruin everything! This saying goes nicely with the proverb "go out well enough lone."

*Note: "Ain't" is not right English. It's an breezy way of saying "isn't" or "is not." This mode of speaking is popular in the Southern states of the United States and in farming regions.

37. Curiosity killed the true cat.

This saying is often used to stop someone from request also many questions. Marvel (when you're excited and eager to know something) tin can lead you into dangerous situations. Cats, who are naturally curious, oftentimes end upwards in trouble. They become stuck upwardly in trees or betwixt walls.

38. Learn to walk before you run.

Practise things in the right order, from simple to more than complicated. For example, practice not try to read a difficult English language novel when yous're just starting to learn English. If y'all try to jump alee, you volition about likely fail—just like a child who tries to run earlier learning to walk will fall. All things will come up in time, but you must be patient and go through the proper process.

39. Money doesn't abound on trees.

Things that grow on trees, such equally fruit or leaves, are considered plentiful (enough, plenty) considering they will grow back. If yous eat an apple tree from a tree, more apples volition continue to grow. But money must exist earned through difficult work, and doesn't "grow back" later on yous spend it. Once you spend money, it's gone. This saying is often said to people who waste their coin on light-headed purchases.

40. My hands are tied.

This phrase should not be taken literally. You say this saying when you tin can't exercise what you would like to do. For example, say you are in accuse of an office and everyone (including you) wants to celebrate someone's altogether. But your boss tells you it'southward confronting the rules. You could tell your coworkers, "Sorry, my easily are tied." You would like to have a altogether celebration with them, but you can't.

41. It's the tip of the iceberg.

But a small amount of an iceberg tin can be seen above the surface of the h2o. About of information technology lies below. This maxim uses the iceberg to describe a situation where you are only get-go to sympathize the problem. The little signs that you can run into are in fact part of a much larger problem.

42. No news is adept news.

No information about a situation suggests that nada bad has happened. This phrase is said by families waiting nervously for news of a father or son who has gone to war. To receive news would mean hearing that your loved one has been killed, captured or hurt.  Even though it's difficult to know nix nearly what's happening, information technology'south nonetheless better than hearing bad news.

43. Out of sight, out of mind.

If you can see something every twenty-four hour period, your mind will think nigh information technology. This maxim is about the addiction of forgetting things that are non nearby. For example, if y'all desire to stop eating chips and junk nutrient, you could movement them from the counter top and hide them in a closet. If you don't meet them, you won't recollect to consume them. Out of sight, out of mind.

44. If you lot scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

This proverb but ways that if you aid me, I'll help you also. Usually, when you do a favor for someone, they do something for you in render. This can be beneficial (helpful) to both people.

45. Ignorance is bliss.

"Ignorance" is when y'all don't know or are unaware of something. "Bliss" is pure joy and happiness. So sometimes information technology feels meliorate and you're more comfy when yous don't know about certain things. For example, if I tell y'all this fact—that from 2000-2012, ii.three million square kilometers of forests were cutting downwards effectually the world (which is size of all us eastward of the Mississippi River)—you could feel deplorable and hopeless for the environs. Only if I hadn't told you that fact, you would feel happier.

46. Piece of cake come, easy become.

Money, fame, honey or annihilation that happens easily can be lost only every bit quickly. If you get a lot of money or of a sudden become famous, you could lose that coin or fame very quickly—since you didn't piece of work difficult to earn information technology.

47. The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest.

"Forbidden" means information technology's not immune, so this phrase means that if something isn't immune, you often want information technology the virtually (it volition "taste" the sweetest). For example, let's say you're a kid whose parents don't let yous drink soda. You go to a friend's business firm, and her parents ask if you want a soda. You say yes andreallybask that soda considering you never get to beverage it at home.

48. Every deject has a silver lining.

People say this when things are going desperately or when someone is sad. Clouds correspond bad situations. Every bad situation has some good parts to it—you merely have to look for them. The proverb is meant to assist people feel better and continue going. It's too where the name of the movie "Silver Linings Playbook" came from.

49. You tin can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

Sometimes, to become things done, you lot have to exist pushy or break a few rules. You may even have to insult some people. An omelet is a tasty dish and worth the endeavor to make. However, yous must break some eggs to make it. And then if you want to become a worthwhile project done or make changes, you tin can't please everyone. Someone might be offended or hurt, so y'all have to decide if the price is worth it.

l. Close but no cigar.

In the old days, fairgrounds would give cigars equally prizes for games. The phrase "shut just no cigar" means that yous were close to succeeding in the game, just yous didn't win the cigar. As a proverb it means that fifty-fifty though yous did your best or near had it right, you weren't completely right.

English has many proverbs and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Only you don't want to bite off more than you tin can chew. So start with these useful English proverbs and sayings and you'll sound similar a native speaker in no time!

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Source: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/useful-english-proverbs/