Tag: Proverb
Beggars can’t be choosers – English proverb
For those who don’t know the meaning of “beggar”:
BEGGAR => a person who lives by asking for money, food, etc.
Image source
Article from Daily Mail Online:
Humiliations of being a midlife renter: HANNAH BETTS is 45, gainfully employed – and has never been a homeowner
[…]
[…]
A watched pot never boils – English proverb
Image source
Example sentences from the web:
- Whoever said “a watched pot never boils” obviously didn’t own a microwave.
- Jane was nine months pregnant and Tom hovered over her anxiously. She said, “You might as well go away and play some golf. A watched pot never boils, you know!”
- There’s no point sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring. A watched pot never boils.
Image source
“A good husband makes a good wife” – English proverb
Image source
Example sentence:
- Don’t blame your wife for being quick-tempered with you; you haven’t been kind to her lately. A good husband makes a good wife!
QUICK-TEMPERED => becoming angry quickly and easily.
“Faint heart never won fair lady.” – English Proverb
“Every cloud has a silver lining” – English proverb
This phrase is often said to people who are feeling down or depressed in an attempt to try and cheer them up.
Here you can read some information on this proverb: Origin of this proverb.
Example sentences from the web:
- Well, I suppose it’s nice to know that every cloud has a silver lining.
- Interview With Mexican Quake Witness (CNN, 2003):
HARRIS: Well, actually, then, if that’s the case, this toll of only 23 deaths can — I should say — shouldn’t say only 23 deaths — but 23 deaths is actually quite a low number, considering the fact this could be a lot worse, then.
PETERS: In fact, Mexican authorities are saying they’re quite amazed that the casualties appear to be so low at this point. They do expect them to rise, but they say — well, I guess every cloud has a silver lining. This may be that for this earthquake because previous earthquakes of this magnitude in Mexico have killed hundreds.
HARRIS: Well, here’s hoping that silver lining gets even bigger and more pronounced there. Thank you, Gretchen Peters, thank you very much. We appreciate it. Take care. Gretchen Peters of the ” Christian Science Monitor ” talking to us from Mexico City. - Don’t forget that every cloud has a silver lining. The sun will shine again.
Words from the example sentences you may not know:
- TOLL: the extent of loss, damage, suffering, etc., resulting from some action or calamity: The toll was 200 persons dead or missing.
- CASUALTIES: loss in numerical strength through any cause, as death, wounds, sickness, capture, or desertion.
- EARTHQUAKE: a shaking of a part of the earth’s surface that often causes great damage
“Barking dogs seldom bite” – English Proverb
“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” – English proverb
Example from the web:
- You can go to all the therapy in the world and as I — as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make them drink. Unless you decide you want to change and go through the work of changing yourself, it ain’t going to happen.
“To be caught with your hand in the cookie jar.” – English proverb
“Two heads are better than one.” – English Proverb
Example sentences from the web:
- Mary: Can you figure out what this insurance document means?
John: Why ask me? I don’t know anything about insurance.
Mary: Neither do I, but two heads are better than one. - I couldn’t figure out the answer of the puzzle so I asked Sarah to help me out. After a short time, we figured out the answer. It really shows that two heads are better than one.
Words from the example sentences you may not know:
- INSURANCE = coverage under a contract in which one party agrees to compensate another for a loss.
- TO FIGURE OUT = to solve; to understand.
Free English Materials For You 