Proverbs

A bad workman (always) blames his tools

said of incompetent people who make excuses for their own failings by blaming something else, such as the equipment they are using.

➪ The football player blamed the rainy weather for his poor performance, but as they say, a bad workman blames his tools.

A barking dog never bites

People who utter loud threats rarely carry them out, or those who boast a lot rarely do much.

➪ Mr. Stewart may yell at Amy a lot, but she doubts he will do anything to her as a barking dog never bites.

➪ Old Mrs. Smith keeps saying she will call the police if we walk on her lawn, but we are not worried because a barking dog never bites.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Being separated from someone or something for a long time makes you appreciate them even more.

➪ My mother had been in Thailand for two weeks now. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I missed her and her cooking.

Actions speak louder than words

Doing something is more important and effective than just talking about doing it or promising to do it. Judge people by what they do rather than what they say.

➪ Paul made all sorts of promises when he needs help. However, actions speak louder than words, so we'll see how many of those promises he actually keeps.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

This means that a friend who helps you when you really need help is a true friend.

➪ After I lost the race, Mary continued to support me even when everyone else called me names. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

A leopard cannot change its spots

It is not possible for a person to change their bad habits or personality.

➪ After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he had changed, but I know that a leopard cannot change its spots.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

The proverb expresses the idea that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made.

➪ Just because she painted her room by herself, now she thinks she can do the entire house - inside and out! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing I tell you.

➪ He read about the procedure online and thought he doesn't need the doctor to get it done. Now he will have to stay in the hospital far more than he might have in the first place, a little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing.

All good things must come to an end

Everything will come to an end, even good things do not last forever.

➪ I had the time of my life at the birthday party. However, all good things must come to an end and it was time for us to go home.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

This means that it is not good for a person to spend all their time working, with no time off for enjoyment.

➪ I know I should be swotting for my exam but it's Saturday night. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I shall have some time off to relax my mind.

All's well that ends well

Even if there have been difficulties or worries, if something comes out all right in the end, that is all that matters.

➪ All's well that ends well - at least it didn't rain for my entire wedding day.

A penny saved is a penny earned

This proverb is commonly used when advising people to save their money

➪ I plan to buy a house so I'm trying not to spend much money right now because a penny saved is a penny earned.

A picture is worth a thousand words

A picture or image expresses meaning more effectively than words.

➪ Johnny did not need to explain how grateful he was for his parents. From the painting he did of his family, we could tell just how much he loves them. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

An empty vessel makes the most noise

Foolish, unwise or stupid people are often the ones who talk most or boast a lot.

➪ Harry is the most talkative student in the class, but you know what they say about how an empty vessel makes the most noise. He is also known for his poor grades.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

A person who has harmed another person should receive a punishment that is equal to the harm the victim has suffered. This proverb is commonly used as an excuse for revenge or to teach people to treat others like how they want to be treated.

➪ Julia broke Jane's ruler and she didn't even apologise. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. In return, Jane broke Julia's ruler.

An idle brain is the devil's workshop

When one had nothing to do, one is more likely to get into trouble.

➪ Amy has just broken up with her boyfriend. We should find something useful for her to do over the holiday because an idle brain is the devil's workshop.

➪ All the children should be kept busy while you are away; an idle brain is the devil's workshop.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

If you want to finish a task, you must start on it first.

➪ It would take me an extremely long time to complete my project, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

A stitch in time saves nine

It is better to fix a problem now than later so that the problem will not worsen.

➪ I should fix the shaky ladder as soon as possible because a stitch in time saves nine. Someone might get hurt when they used it.

➪ Let's patch the roof before that hole get bigger. A stitch in time saves nine.

Beggars can't be choosers

You should not complain when something you need is given to you, even when the thing given is not what you wanted.

➪ That dress wasn't exactly what I would have picked for myself, but it was free and I'm broke right now. Beggars can't be choosers.

The best-laid plans go astray

Even if you have prepared everything, plans might not go the way you want them to.

➪ Soon, we realised we were lost despite following the map. The best-laid plans go astray, we need to adapt if we wanted to survive the night.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

People have different definitions of what is beautiful and attractive.

➪ I did not find the puppy very cute, but Sarah kept cooing over it. I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder.