Sayings, also known as proverbs, idioms, or aphorisms, have been passed down through generations, often originating from historical events, cultural traditions, or everyday experiences. These expressions serve as a way to share wisdom, offer advice, or capture universal truths in a concise and memorable way. Many have roots in ancient literature, folklore, or religious texts, while others evolved through common usage over time.
Because many sayings rely on figurative meaning rather than literal interpretation, they can be especially challenging for people learning English as a second language. Understanding phrases like “kick the bucket” or “spill the beans” requires more than just knowing the words—it demands familiarity with cultural context, which makes mastering them a unique challenge. Sometimes, meaning can get lost in translation—especially over text. There are thousands of sayings in English, but these came to mind as I was writing. I hope you will find this post interesting, if not useful.
Can't see the forest for the trees – Too focused on small details (the trees) to see the bigger picture (the forest). Example: Isabella kept rewriting one paragraph of her essay over and over, not realizing the entire paper was due in an hour.
A penny saved is a penny earned – Saving money is just as valuable as making money. Example: Instead of eating out every day, Jack started cooking at home. He realized how much he was saving each month.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does. Example: Emma planned how she’d spend her bonus before she even got it—then the company canceled bonuses that year.
The proof is in the pudding – The true value of something is in its results, not just its promises. Example: The new software promises to make work easier, but we won’t know until we actually use it.
Close, but no cigar – Almost succeeding, but not quite making it. Example: Mike nearly won the trivia contest but missed the last question. “The host said, "Close, but no cigar, Mike.”
A stitch in time saves nine – Fixing a small problem now prevents it from becoming a bigger one later. Example: Lila patched a small leak in the roof immediately, preventing major damage when the storm came.
Bite the bullet – Endure something painful or unpleasant because it’s necessary. Example: John hated the dentist, but his toothache was so bad he had to bite the bullet and go.
Burning the midnight oil – Staying up late working or studying. Example: She was burning the midnight oil to finish her project before the deadline.
Put your money where your mouth is – Support your words with action or financial backing. Example: Tom always talks about helping the homeless. When he donated to the shelter, he put his money where his mouth was.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease – The person who complains or makes noise is the one who gets attention or help. Example: After weeks of waiting for a repair, Betsy called customer service every day until they sent a technician.
Like a broken record – Repeating the same thing over and over. Example: He kept bringing up the same issue in every meeting, like a broken record.
Let sleeping dogs lie – Don’t stir up old problems; leave things as they are. Example: He thought about bringing up an old argument, but decided to let sleeping dogs lie.
Jump on the bandwagon – Join something because it’s popular. Example: When the team started winning, suddenly everyone jumped on the bandwagon and bought jerseys.
Back to the drawing board – When something fails and you have to start over from the beginning. Example: Their first plan didn’t work, so it was back to the drawing board.
Throw in the towel – Give up or admit defeat. Example: After three failed attempts, Mark finally threw in the towel on fixing the car himself.
Keep your nose to the grindstone – Stay focused and work hard. Example: If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you’ll finish the project on time.
Actions speak louder than words – What people do is more important than what they say. A person’s true intentions or feelings are shown through their actions, not just their words. Example: Jake kept promising he would help with the move, but he never showed up. Actions speak louder than words!
Hit the hay – Go to bed. Example: After working all day in the hot sun, Kieran was exhausted and ready to hit the hay.
Spill the beans – To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept private. Example: Clara accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party before the invitations were even sent out.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – Don’t risk everything on just one plan or option. Example: She invested in multiple stocks because she didn’t want to put all her eggs in one basket.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other – Two choices are essentially the same.
Example: Whether we take the highway or the back roads, the travel time is the same. It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Kick the bucket – A humorous way to say someone has died. Example: Grandpa always joked that when he kicked the bucket, he wanted a party, not a funeral.
Make hay while the sun shines – Take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts. Example: The weather is nice today, so let’s make hay while the sun shines and paint the house.
Preaching to the choir – Telling people something they already agree with and know. Example: After noticing some students absent, the professor lectured on the importance of being in class, but he was preaching to the choir.
Every cloud has a silver lining – There’s something good in every bad situation. Example: Losing his job was tough, but he found a better one. Every cloud has a silver lining.
A rising tide lifts all boats – When things improve for one, they often improve for everyone. Example: When the economy is strong, businesses thrive and consumers benefit.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained – You have to take risks to get rewards. Example: He was nervous about the meeting, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Many hands make light work – When people work together, tasks get done more easily. Example: Everyone helped clean up after the party; it only took ten minutes!
Easy does it – Take your time, don’t rush. Example: “Easy does it,” the baker said as they carried the tiered cake down the steps.
Cut off your nose to spite your face – Making a decision out of anger or spite that ends up harming yourself more than anyone else. Example: He quit his job just to prove a point, but now he has no income. He cut off his nose to spite his face.
Two heads are better than one – Collaborating leads to better results. Example: They solved the puzzle more easily together because two heads are better than one.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way – Determination makes anything possible. Example: He didn’t have much money, but he found a way to travel. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Rome wasn’t built in a day – Important things take time. Example: Learning a new language takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Live and let live – Let people be themselves without judgment. Example: He doesn’t agree with her lifestyle, but he believes in live and let live.
You reap what you sow – Your efforts determine your results. Example: If you work hard, you will succeed. If you are do not work hard, you won't succeed. You reap what you sow.
Take it with a grain of salt – Don’t take something too seriously. Example: The email about the check wasn't very detailed and sounds exaggerated, so take it with a grain of salt.
One good turn deserves another – Kindness should be repaid with kindness. Example: He helped me move, so when he needed help, I gladly returned the favor.
To each their own – Everyone has different tastes, and that’s okay. Example: I wouldn’t wear those shoes in this weather, but to each their own.
You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs – Progress requires some sacrifices. Example: We had to sleep on the sofa while the bedroom was being remodeled, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.
Good things come to those who wait – Patience leads to rewards. Example: He waited years for the perfect job and he finally got hired! Good things come to those who wait.
Let your hair down – Relax and enjoy yourself. Example: It’s the weekend! Time to let your hair down and have some fun.
The best things in life are free – Happiness isn’t always about money. Example: Time with family costs nothing, but it’s priceless. The best things in life are free.
You’re skating on thin ice – You’re close to getting in trouble. Example: If you miss one more deadline, you are going to be suspended! You’re skating on thin ice!
Straight from the horse’s mouth – Getting information directly from the original source. Example: I heard the news straight from the horse’s mouth—the CEO himself.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater – Don’t get rid of something valuable while trying to discard something unwanted. They argued more than normal, but she knew ending the relationship over a few bad weeks would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
That’s the way the cookie crumbles – That’s just how things happen, even if it is disappointing. Example: We took a trip to watch a baseball game, but it was rained out. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
I heard so many of these sayings growing up, so I thought I would write about them. I hope they will continue to be used by future generations. These are common phrases people use to express ideas. I still use many of them, and others I cannot think of off the top of my head—maybe I just speak in idioms? I have been told to not speak in quotes and proverbs, but they can often relay my thoughts better than I can. I may understand now what he meant and how annoying it can be, but in my defense there is a saying for everything, and if I don't use them to corral my thoughts, I am liable to talk in circles!
Leave a comment with any sayings you have heard, still use, or think are funny.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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