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...

questor SG

Originally posted by laurence82:
For 8th March

[b]Not The Only Pebble On The Beach

Peggy and Polly had a quarrel. "I'll never talk to you again! Peggy shouted. "What do I care? You're not the only pebble on the beach," Polly answered. I hope these two settle tehir dispute soon because when someone uses this expression he (or she) is boldy saying, "You're not the only person in this world!"[/b]

I've never heard of this one before but "There are other fish in the sea" ...is the one I've heard of kind of is the same I guess..

laurence82 SG

For 9th March

Once Bitten Twice Shy

Ned's dog hasnt shown much interest in playing with him lately. "Once bitten, twice shy," the dog whimpered. This says if you have have had a bad experience (been bitten) doing something, you will be extremely (twice shy) about repeating the mistake. "The last time i played with Ned he bit me! That little kid's rough!" the dog explained.

laurence82 SG

Yup, there are others like 'the only tree in the forest', 'not the only guy/gal left in the world' etc etc

laurence82 SG

For 10th March

One Man's Meat Is Another Man's Poison

"In my line of work you get use to eating when you can and in all sorts of restaurants. But I enjoy trying different kinds of food." "How is your lunch?" Vulpone asked. Timothy took one bite and fainted but before he did he was heard to mutter: "One man's meat is another man's poison." This means that while something may be unpleasing to one person it can be thoroughly unpleasant to another.

laurence82 SG

For 11th March

One Swallow Does Not A Summer Make

When winter is due to end, migrating birds - like swallows - think of returning to their northern homes. People there must be careful, though, for the sight of one swallow doesnt mean winter is really over.That has given us this cautionary advice dont form hasty opinions or come to quick conclusions on the basis of a few facts.

laurence82 SG

For 12th March

Opportunity Only Knocks Once

Norm was napping under a tree when an apple fell. It bounced and hit a fellow named Newton. Newton became famous writing about gravity, but no one ever heard of Norm. "Opportunity only knocks once," Newton smiled, " and Norm slept through it!" This caution says: seize an opportunity when it occurs for it may never happen again.

laurence82 SG

For 13th March

An Ounce Of Prevention Is Better Than A Pound Of Cure

The value of a cure for an illness cant be measured. This saying goes a step further and states that it is even better to be cautious and prevent a misfortune or an accident from happening. "Be sure to get lots of exercise, and eat nutritious food to stay healthy. Remember that an ounce of prevention is better than a pund of cure."

laurence82 SG

Play Second Fiddle

In an orchestra, the person playing 'the first violin' follows the instructions of the conductor and leads the musicians during a performance. A violin is also called a fiddle, so this says anyone who is a follower rather than a leader plays a second fiddle. "I wasnt happy playing second fiddle working for my brother so I formed my own company," Theodore said.

laurence82 SG

For 15th March

Possession Is Nine Points Of The Law

In disputes over property ownership, the person in possession of something is sometimes said to have nine-tenths a chance of winning it in legal argument. "Toby found a thousand dollars on the bus. He says it his because posession is nine points of the law. I wonder if he's right about that?"

laurence82 SG

For 16th March

The Pot calling The Kettle Black

We sue this expression to remind people who critisize others that they may have the same faults. This come from the fact that cooking pans used over a fire become all black. None is better than the other. "Carol's comments about Martha being messy is a case of the pot calling the kettle black

laurence82 SG

For 17th March

Procrastination Is The Thief Of Time

Procrastination refer to waiting or putting off doing something. Because time moves by quickly, those who wait may miss a valuable opportunity to do or have something. Thats the idea behind this saying."Officer Mutt captured a burglar who fell asleep in a clock sho[." "He probably would have got away hours earlier if he had realised that procrastination is the thief of time," Mutt smiled.

laurence82 SG

For 18th March

Promises Are Like Pie Crust

"Marry me and I will give you the moon and the stars and the planets that encircle us," Syrano said. "Oh, Sy, you make me sigh," Roxy replied, "but havent you heard that promises are like pie crust, made to be broken?" This proverb says most promises cannot be kept. "But I'm proposing marriage, not running for political office!" Syrano said.

laurence82 SG

For 19th March

Put a Quart Into A Pint Pot

'I've done it! Fergus smiled. Fergus thinks he has put a quart (of liquid) into a pint pot. This expression describes doing something thats impossible. Its used metaphorically, as in this example. "There 's no more room," the bus driver said as he closed the doors. "I cant put a quart in a pint pot, you know."

laurence82 SG

The Rain Falls On The Just And Unjust Alike

This saying from the Bible (Matthew 5:45) states that no matter how just (good) or unjust (bad) a person is he must still face the everyday problems that confronts us all. In other words, being moral and righteous does not neccessarily protect a person from the hardship of life.

laurence82 SG

For 21st March

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

"Its true!" Oliver gasped. "A rolling stone gathers no moss!" Just as he said that, another stone struck Oliver down. As he was recovering, he reflected on the meaning of this proverb. I suppose its said that a rolling stone gathers no moss because like a stone thats always moving, a person who wanders from place to place and job to job hasl ittle chance of acquiring property, possessions or friends."

laurence82 SG

For 22nd March

Rome Was Not Built In a Day

Long ago Rome was one of the greatest and most beautiful cities in the world. Obviously it had taken centuries to make it great, hence this reminder that important things are not accomplished easily and we should not expect imediate results from our work. "It takes time to learn a foreign language, but be patient and remember that Rome wasnt built in a day."

laurence82 SG

For 23rd March

Seeing Is Believing

This tells us that we can accept something as real or factual if we can actually see it. "Seeing is believing, and I know flying saucers exist because I saw one on my way to work," Ahmed said, Ahmed explained he was commuting via flying carpet, so if seeing is believing I believe Ahmed and his story about flying saucers when I see them both in flight!

laurence82 SG

For 24th March

The Sins Of The Fathers Are/Will Be Visited Upon The Children

This statement is from the Bible (Exodus 20:5). It says that people are/will be punished for the wrongs committed by their parents, forefathers, or those who have preceded them. "If we do nothing to clean up our environment the sins of the fathers will be visted upon the children of future generations," the speaker declared.

laurence82 SG

For 25th March

A Skeleton In The Closet/Cupboard

A closely kept secret that, if revealed, would be a source of shame to a person, a family, a group - or even to a country or govenrment - is described as a skeleton in the closet/cupboard. "Except for Emma, no one knows that her husband had once been to prison. The secret remains a skeleton in the closet and Emma, of course, never talks about it."

laurence82 SG

For 26th March

A/ The Snake In The Grass

Have you ever known a person who pretends to be your friend and at the same time says or does terrible and damaging behind your back? If so, he is a snake in the grass. "I've just learned my friend Pete has told the supervisor I am not qualified for my job, the snake in the grass!"

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