A fool and his money are soon parted. | A SILLY OR STUPID PERSON READILY WASTES MONEY |
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. | DO NOT MAKE A MAJOR ISSUE OUT OF A MINOR ONE; DO NOT EXAGGERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SOMETHING |
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. | YOU CANNOT JUDGE THE VALUE OF SOMETHING UNTIL YOU HAVE TRIED IT OR EXPERIENCED IT |
First-come, first-served. | A SERVICE POLICY WHEREBY THE REQUESTS OF CUSTOMERS ARE ATTENDED TO IN THE ORDER THAT THEY ARRIVE |
A stitch in time saves nine. | A PROMPT ACTION WILL AVERT MORE SERIOUS TROUBLE |
Every cloud has a silver lining. | YOU CAN DERIVE SOME BENEFIT FROM EVERY BAD THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU |
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. | DO NOT RISK ALL OF YOUR RESOURCES IN A SINGLE VENTURE |
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. | SEPARATION INTENSIFIES LOVE |
He who pays the piper calls the tune. | IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR SOMEONE'S SERVICES, YOU CAN DICTATE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT THAT PERSON TO DO |
Honesty is the best policy. | YOU SHOULD ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN IT SEEMS AS IF IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO TELL A LIE |
Necessity is the mother of invention. | WHEN PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO DO SOMETHING, THEY WILL FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT |
You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. | SOMEONE WHO IS USED TO DOING THINGS A CERTAIN WAY CANNOT CHANGE |
Out of the frying pan (and) into the fire. | FROM A BAD SITUATION TO A WORSE SITUATION |
Still waters run deep. | PEOPLE WHO SAY VERY LITTLE OFTEN HAVE VERY INTERESTING AND COMPLICATED PERSONALITIES |
More haste, less speed. | IF YOU TRY TO DO THINGS TOO QUICKLY, IT WILL TAKE YOU LONGER IN THE END |
One swallow doesn't make a summer. | ONE INSTANCE OF AN EVENT DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE A TREND |
Too many cooks spoil the broth. | IF TOO MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN A TASK, THE TASK WILL NOT BE DONE VERY WELL |
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. | IF ONE TAKES NO RISKS, ONE WILL NOT GAIN ANY BENEFITS |
Look before you leap. | DO NOT JUMP INTO SOMETHING TOO HASTILY |
Once bitten, twice shy. | ONE IS CAUTIOUS IF HE OR SHE HAS BEEN HURT IN THE PAST |
Actions speak louder than words. | WHAT YOU DO IS MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN WHAT YOU SAY |
It's no good/use crying over spilt milk. | YOU SHOULD NOT GET UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING BAD THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE |
Where there's a will there's a way! | IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO ANYTHING IF YOU ARE VERY DETERMINED TO DO IT |
Let sleeping dogs lie. | LEAVE SOMETHING ALONE IF IT MIGHT CAUSE TROUBLE |
A friend in need is a friend indeed. | A TRUE FRIEND IS A PERSON WHO WILL HELP YOU WHEN YOU REALLY NEED HELP |
A miss is as good as a mile. | FAILING TO DO SOMETHING WHEN YOU ALMOST SUCCEEDED IS NO BETTER THAN FAILING VERY BADLY |
Blood is thicker than water. | FAMILY TIES ARE CLOSER THAN OTHER RELATIONSHIPS |
Charity begins at home. | BE GENEROUS TO YOUR FAMILY BEFORE HELPING OTHERS |
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. | DO NOT BE CRITICAL OR SUSPICIOUS OF SOMETHING RECEIVED AT NO COST |
Beggars can't be choosers. | WHEN YOU CANNOT HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT, YOU MUST ACCEPT WHATEVER YOU CAN GET |
Two heads are better than one. | TWO PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SOLVING A PROBLEM THAN ONE PERSON |
Great minds think alike. | VERY INTELLIGENT PEOPLE TEND TO COME UP WITH THE SAME IDEAS AT THE SAME TIME |
One good turn deserves another. | IF SOMEONE DOES YOU A FAVOUR, YOU SHOULD DO A FAVOUR FOR THAT PERSON IN RETURN |
It's an ill wind that blows nobody (any) good. | A CALAMITY FOR ONE PERSON USUALLY BENEFITS SOMEBODY ELSE |
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. | IT’S NOT WISE TO MAKE PLANS BASED ON EVENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAPPEN |
Speech is silver, silence is golden. | SPEAKING IS GOOD BUT SAYING NOTHING IS BETTER; DISCRETION CAN BE WORTH MORE THAN EVEN ELOQUENT WORDS |
The early bird catches the worm. | IF YOU WAKE UP AND GET TO WORK EARLY, YOU WILL SUCCEED |
Out of sight, out of mind. | IF YOU DO NOT SEE SOMEONE/SOMETHING FREQUENTLY, YOU WILL FORGET ABOUT THEM / IT |
Practice makes perfect. | DOING SOMETHING OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN TO DO IT WELL |
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. | IT IS NOT HEALTHY FOR SOMEONE TO WORK ALL THE TIME AND NEVER PLAY |