Proverbial
A bad workman always blames his tools
Meaning
A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work.
Examples
It was really Andy’s fault that the wall he built fell down but he tried to claim that the cement mixer was faulty.
Where did it originate?
The expression is found in British collections of proverbs from the 16th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but less commonly than 50 years ago.
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A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning
It’s better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing.
Examples
The questions in the final round looked hard so we opted out of the big prize and took the smaller $2,000 second prize. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush you know.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
One of the most widely used proverbs throughout the English-speaking world.
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A fool and his money are soon parted
Meaning
A foolish person is very likely to lose his money.
Examples
He’s off to the casino again – ’a fool and his money…’ I say.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 16th century.
Where is it used?
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A golden key can open any door
Meaning
Money always has a telling influence.
Examples
He’s not really good enough to be an F1 driver but he got in the team because he brought a major sponsorship deal with him. As they say, a golden key can open any door.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but somewhat uncommon.
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A house divided against itself cannot stand
Meaning
Failure is certain if those on the same side argue amongst themselves.
Examples
The Tory party can’t stop arguing over Europe. Don’t they know that a house divided cannot stand.
Where did it originate?
Biblical.
Where is it used?
Widespread but uncommon. Rather formal for everyday speech.
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A leopard can’t change his spots
Meaning
You cannot change your innate self.
Examples
He was a bully at school and he’s a bully now – a leopard can’t change its spots.
Where did it originate?
Biblical.
Where is it used?
Widespread but rather formal form of expression. Not widely used by the young.
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A miss is as good as a mile
Meaning
Some endeavours either succeed or they don’t – to miss narrowly is still failure.
Examples
He came within a millimetre of breaking the high jump records. Sadly, a miss is as good as a mile.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
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Children should be seen and not heard
Meaning
Old proverb suggesting that children should not impinge on the adult world.
Examples
Grandma is a bit strict. We shouldn’t judge her though – things were tougher in her childhood. She was expected to be seen and not heard.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Rarely used seriously any longer. Now more likely be heard in black and white movies than in real life.
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Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning
Being inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.
Examples
I heard a noise outside and went to have a look. It turns out I should have ignored it, it was a bear. Curiosity killed the cat they say.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century. Probably deriving from a much older British phrase – ‘care killed the cat’.
Where is it used?
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Don't bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning
Don’t hurt someone that helps you.
Examples
Shouting at the people who are offering you somewhere to stay isn’t a good plan. Have you never heard of the proverb Don’t bite the hand that feeds you?
Where is it used?
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Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning
Don’t count on receiving some benefit until you actually have it.
Examples
I know you felt good about that exam, but you haven’t passed until you get the result – don’t count your chickens.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb.
Where is it used?
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Don't cry over spilt milk
Meaning
Don’t fret pointlessly about some mistake or loss when it can’t be remedied.
Examples
Well, the vase is smashed. There’s no point crying over spilt milk.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century proverb.
Where is it used?
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Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning
When you receive a gift accept it with good grace and don’t find fault with it.
Examples
I gave her a $700 phone and she said it wasn’t the right colour. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb.
Where is it used?
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Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning
Don’t risk all your property on a single venture.
Examples
Well, that horse is a good runner but I wouldn’t bet all your money on it to win. That would be putting all your eggs into one basket.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb, from an Italian original.
Where is it used?
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Give him an inch and hell take a mile
Meaning
allow someone a small concession and they will take advantage and try to take more.
Examples
Give Janice and inch and shell take a mile. We said she could stay in the spare room for a couple of nights but she’s been here a month already.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century. First seen in the journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Where is it used?
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Keep your chin up
Meaning
Remain positive in a tough situation.
Examples
Sorry to hear that you were made redundant on the day your buried your mother. Keep your chin up mate.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Although derived in the USA this idiom is more commonly heard now in Britain.
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Let bygones be bygones
Meaning
Allow a disagreement or argument to be put in the past.
Examples
I never thought I’d be saying this after you slept with my wife, but that was thirty years ago, let’s let bygones be bygones.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb
Where is it used?
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Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning
Avoid restarting a conflict.
Examples
I knew he was stealing from me but, he is proud and he really needs the money. I preferred to let sleeping dogs lie and to say nothing.
Where did it originate?
Britain. 19th century but much earlier as a similarly-worded proverb.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but like many proverbs, now considered rather old-fashioned.
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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
Meaning
You can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice.
Examples
I bought her a car; I even paid for the driving lessons, but she still travels everywhere by bus.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 12th century. One of the oldest proverbs in the English language
Where is it used?
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You can't teach an old dog new tricks
Meaning
Once animals (and people) are set in their ways they struggle to assimilate new ideas.
Examples
I tried to learn Mandarin after I retired but I got nowhere with it. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb. One of the oldest proverbs in English.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but like many proverbs, now mostly used by the older generation.
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