English Proverbs for discussion

last SG · 2004-01-03T14:43:52+00:00

Someone's Bark Is Worse Than His Bite You know the situation: you are walking down a street and a dog runs towards you and begins to bark. You are frightene...

laurence82 SG

For 21st January

Dead Men Tell No Tales

This proverb states that those who are no longer alive aren't able to speak - and therefore won't reveal someone's deepest, darkest secrets. "We may never learn the truth behind the JFK's assassination. All the witnesses are gone, and as you know dead men tell no tales."

laurence82 SG

For 22nd January

The Devil Finds Work For Idle Hands

When Maurice was young, his parents warned him that the devil finds work for idle hands. They were telling him that unless he kept busy doing useful or constructive things he could be tempted into mischief or evil. "Sorry, but I dont think the saying the devil finds work for the idle hands means I should waste my time sweeping floors," Maurice said to a stranger.

laurence82 SG

For 23rd January

The Devil Has The Best Tunes

About 200 years ago a religious leader in England named John Wesley turned popular songs into church hymns. "Why should the devil has the best tunes?" he asked. Today someone doing unworthy things because it gives him pleasure might use this phrase humourously. "I know I watch too much television when I should be studying but the devil has the best tunes," Kurt said.

laurence82 SG

For 24th January

Dog Eat Dog

In a competitive situations where each person has his own interests at heart and his own desires in mind it is usually the strong and the determined who succeed. People refer to this type of situation as dog eat dog. "I am happy that there's no dog eat dog in the office where I work," Mildred said. Millie is fortunate because there are some who might say we seen to live in a dog-eat-dog world.

laurence82 SG

For 25th January

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

A drop of rain landed on Felix's head. That caused him to look up until he located a particular cloud. "Sometimes when it's raining we can see the sun peeking through the clouds," he said. That causes some clouds to have a silver edge and had led to the saying that no matter how dark things are every cloud has a silver lining" He smiled. "That means good things usually follow the bad."

laurence82 SG

For 26th January

An Exception To The Rule

While inspecting his troops, the captain noticed something odd. "What's wrong with you?" he shouted at Wilburforce. "My moustache is an exception to the rule," Wilburforce replied. There are no exceptions to the rule in the army," the captain barked - and no one saw Wilburforce again. An exception to the rule is something that does not conform to or agree with a rule.

laurence82 SG

For 27th January

Experience Is The Best Teacher

You can tell someone how to do something and you can show him how to do it. He will learn best, though, if he does it himself. That's the idea expressed in this saying. "Hold tight and keep trying," Agatha smiled as her niece flew by in her broomstick. "Experience is the best teacher."

laurence82 SG

For 28th January

Fling/Sling/Throw Mud At Someone

Fling, sling and throw mean virtually the same thing. In this proverb, to fling/sling or throw mud at someone is to say evil or bad things about someone and in doing so, to damage his or her reputation. "Some people sling mud at people just because they're jealous," Sammy said. That's just awful, isnt it" It is and wouldnt it be nicer world if everyone stopped throwing mud?

laurence82 SG

A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted

Many people know this proverb but few actually practise it. It says that a person who spends his money foolishly will soon be penniless. That is, he and his money are parted. "Rodney made a lot of money last month but he spent it unwisely. A fool and his money are soon parted, they say."

laurence82 SG

For 30th January

Forgive And Forget

Officer Mutt caught Albert in the act of leaving the jail. "I was just stepping out for a pizza. Forgive me and forget it," Albert said. Mutt was furious. " You do such naughty things! How can you expect me to forgive and forget!" The expression forgive and forget refers to excusing or pardoning someone for doing something. " And then trying your best to forget it!" Mutt muttered.

laurence82 SG

A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed

This saying - often shortened to a friend in need - describes a truly genuine friend. No matter how difficult things are, he can always be depended on to help. "Oh,oh, I forgot my umbrella," Felix said. "Dont worry, you can share mine," both Herb and Dan smiled. "After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed."

laurence82 SG

For 1st February

Genius Is The Infinite Capacity For Taking Pains

The writer Thomas Carlyle said that the genius consists of having limitless patience to do a perfect job but he said it i nthe way it appears above. If someone were to ask me to give an example, I'd suggest they stand at Robert's window watching him work. "Its not easy painting butterflies! Robert exclaimed.

laurence82 SG

Give Someone Enough Rope And He Will Hang HImself

If encouraged, a person doing wrong, foolish or ridiculous things will keep on doing them. 'He doesnt even have to be encouraged," Lester said. Just let him keep doing wrong because if you give him enough rope he'll hang himself." What Lester means is if we allow someone to continue in his bad ways he'll evetually bring about his own downfall or ruin.

laurence82 SG

For 3rd February

A Golden Key Opens Every Door

"Look what I found!" Albert cried. "Why its a golden key!". Officer Mutt observed. "It reminds me that a golden key opens every door," Albert smiled. "Yes, I think it will open a door for you at my nice jail," Mutt replied. Actually the golden key here is money and it is asumed it will let someone do anything he wants.

wuming78 SG

Originally posted by laurence82:
For 3rd February

[b]A Golden Key Opens Every Door

"Look what I found!" Albert cried. "Why its a golden key!". Officer Mutt observed. "It reminds me that a golden key opens every door," Albert smiled. "Yes, I think it will open a door for you at my nice jail," Mutt replied. Actually the golden key here is money and it is asumed it will let someone do anything he wants.[/b]

qian nen shi gui tui mo?

laurence82 SG

Bingo!

laurence82 SG

For 4th February

Greener Pastures

"I've discovered a way to keep my pastures looking fresh," Mortimer grinned, "and by offerring my cows greener pastures they're happy to stay at home." Greener pastures refers to a place where conditions appear to be better or more livable. "MY cows have disappeared!," one of Mortimer's neighbours complained. "Thats how it is with cows," Mortimer replied. "They probably moved to a greener pastures."

For our Mooku, who is now eating grass off green pastures.

laurence82 SG

For 5th February

Grin And Bear It

Skiing down a mountain, Chuck collided with a bear and got trapped underneath it. Known for his cheerful disposition, Chuck wasnt alarmed. "I have a way of looking at misfortune,' he said. "I simply grin and bear it." To grin and bear it is to put up with discomfort or bad situation without complaining. So Chuck's still there grinning and bearing it, waiting for help to arrive.

Lesson. Never 'collide' with our Bear.

laurence82 SG

For 6th February

He Who Pays The Piper Calls The Tunes

The meaning behind this saying is that the person who pays for something, has the right to do what he wants. That is, he can call the tune. "Its my party so I can invite anyone I want. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune," Cleo said.

laurence82 SG

For 7th February

Hide Your Light Under A Bushel

A bushel is a type of basket used to hold a measure of grain. This saying (its from the Bible) expresses the idea of a modest or shy person concealing his talents, skills or abilities. "Really, Jaime, I didnt know you were such an artist!" his teacher exclaimed. "You shouldnt hide your light under a bushel. You should paint more pictures."

For our Parka who paints marvelous comics pics

« Previous Page Next Page »