Proverbs Flashcards
(22 cards)
What people do is more important and revealing than what they say.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
• When he promised to help me move, I was skeptical—actions speak louder than words.
• She always talks about recycling, but her refusal to sort her trash shows that actions speak louder than words.
• If you really want to show you care, remember that actions speak louder than words.
• He said he’d cut down on expenses, and when he canceled his weekend trip, it proved actions speak louder than words.
• Don’t just apologize—make amends. Actions speak louder than words.
Solving a small problem promptly prevents it from becoming a much bigger one later.
“A stitch in time saves nine.”
• When I noticed the leak, I fixed it right away—after all, a stitch in time saves nine.
• Don’t wait until your grades slip—study now, because a stitch in time saves nine.
• If you replace the cracked windshield today, you’ll avoid a bigger repair tomorrow; a stitch in time saves nine.
• She cleaned up the spill immediately, knowing that a stitch in time saves nine.
• Addressing customer complaints quickly is crucial—after all, a stitch in time saves nine.
Don’t form opinions about someone or something based solely on appearance.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
• He looked rough around the edges, but don’t judge a book by its cover—he’s actually a talented artist.
• I hesitated to try the dish because it looked odd, but don’t judge a book by its cover—it was delicious.
• She seemed shy at first, but don’t judge a book by its cover; she’s very outgoing once you get to know her.
• The website’s simple design won’t impress you, but don’t judge a book by its cover—it’s full of great content.
• They live in a modest house, but don’t judge a book by its cover; inside it’s beautifully decorated.
Those who start early or act promptly gain an advantage.
“The early bird catches the worm.”
• I always arrive at the farmers’ market before sunrise—after all, the early bird catches the worm.
• If you want the best deals on tickets, remember that the early bird catches the worm.
• She got a head start on her project because the early bird catches the worm.
• He always studies first thing in the morning—the early bird catches the worm.
• They left home at dawn to avoid traffic; the early bird catches the worm.
It’s preferable to do something late than not to do it at all.
“Better late than never.”
• He finally submitted his application—better late than never.
• Although I arrived ten minutes behind schedule, I thought, better late than never.
• She apologized for her mistake yesterday; better late than never.
• He learned to skate at forty—better late than never.
• They finally opened the new park—better late than never
Adapt to the customs of the place you’re in.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
- I wasn’t used to eating with my hands, but in India, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- She wore a headscarf while visiting the mosque—when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- He started drinking espresso after every meal in Italy. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- I usually don’t take naps, but in Spain, I tried the siesta. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
- They joined the locals in dancing during the festival. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Better late than never
Examples:
1. He finally apologized—better late than never.
2. I turned in my assignment a day late, but better late than never.
3. She showed up after the movie ended, but better late than never.
4. He started college at 40. Better late than never!
5. We arrived just as the event ended—better late than never.
You can’t enjoy two desirable but conflicting things at the same time.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Examples:
1. You want freedom but no responsibility—you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
2. She wants to travel and save money.
3. He wants to stay up late and feel rested.
4. You can’t live in Paris and pay village rent.
5. You must choose—can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Being honest is always the best course of action.
Honesty is the best policy
Examples:
1. He admitted the mistake—honesty is the best policy.
2. I told the truth even though it was hard.
3. She confessed everything to her parents.
4. It may not be easy, but honesty is the best policy.
5. Trust comes from honesty.
Even difficult situations have some positive aspect.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Examples:
1. I lost my job but found a better one—every cloud has a silver lining.
2. The trip got canceled, but we saved money.
3. He broke his leg but discovered a love for painting.
4. The storm ruined our picnic, but we had fun indoors.
5. Tough times can reveal unexpected blessings.
The more you practice, the better you get.
Practice makes perfect
Examples:
1. Keep trying—practice makes perfect.
2. She plays piano every day.
3. His English improved with daily speaking.
4. I failed the first few times, but I kept practicing.
5. Don’t give up—remember, practice makes perfect.
Collaborating with others leads to better ideas and solutions.
Two heads are better than one
Examples:
1. Let’s solve it together—two heads are better than one.
2. I asked my friend to help with the puzzle.
3. Brainstorming in pairs works better.
4. They fixed the car faster together.
5. Don’t do it alone—two heads are better than one!
Great things take time and patience.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Examples:
1. Learning a language takes time—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
2. Your fitness progress will come slowly.
3. She’s frustrated, but I reminded her: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
4. He wants success overnight, but that’s unrealistic.
5. Keep going—big achievements need time.
Think carefully before taking action.
Look before you leap
Examples:
1. Don’t quit your job yet—look before you leap.
2. She rushed into a relationship without thinking.
3. He invested without research and lost money.
4. Always look before you leap in business.
5. I regret not thinking it through.
Determination will help you overcome any obstacle.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Examples:
1. He climbed the mountain—where there’s a will, there’s a way.
2. She found a way to finish school while working.
3. They rebuilt after the flood.
4. I didn’t have money, but I still made the trip.
5. Never give up—where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Too many people working on the same thing can ruin it.
Too many cooks spoil the broth
Examples:
1. Everyone tried to organize the party—it was a mess.
2. The project failed because there was no clear leader.
3. Let’s keep the team small.
4. Too many suggestions ruined the design.
5. We had too many opinions—too many cooks spoil the broth
People with similar interests or personalities tend to stick together.
Birds of a feather flock together
Examples:
1. All the artists hang out together—birds of a feather flock together.
2. The troublemakers always find each other.
3. You and your friend both love books—no wonder you’re close.
4. They dress the same and think alike.
5. Like attracts like—birds of a feather flock together.
Don’t risk everything on one single opportunity or plan.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Examples:
1. I invested in multiple stocks—not putting all my eggs in one basket.
2. She applied to five universities.
3. He has different income sources—smart move.
4. Don’t rely on one client for your business.
5. Spread your risk—don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
When you have no power or choice, you must accept what is offered.
Beggars can’t be choosers
- I didn’t love the couch they gave me, but I needed one—beggars can’t be choosers.
- He complained about the free lunch, but I told him: beggars can’t be choosers.
- She didn’t get the job she wanted, but took the offer anyway—beggars can’t be choosers.
- The shelter wasn’t perfect, but it was warm. Beggars can’t be choosers.
- He was upset about staying with relatives, but at least he had a place to stay—beggars can’t be choosers.
If something is working well, don’t try to change it unnecessarily.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
- The old printer still works perfectly—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- Our sales strategy has been successful for years; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- He keeps tweaking the design, but honestly, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- I don’t see why we need a new manager—the team is doing great. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- She wanted to repaint the room, but it already looked fine. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
means to begin something again with no prior preparation, advantage, or progress — in other words, to begin from the very beginning.
“Start from scratch” means to begin something again with no prior preparation, advantage, or progress — in other words, to begin from the very beginning.
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5 Example Sentences:
1. After the computer crashed, we had to start from scratch and rewrite the entire report.
2. When they moved to a new country, they had to build their lives from scratch.
3. He deleted the draft and decided to start the novel from scratch.
4. Learning a new language means starting from scratch, especially when you don’t know the alphabet.
5. They lost the recipe, so they had to figure it out from scratch.
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means something that seems bad or unfortunate at first but turns out to have a good result in the end.
(It’s an apparent misfortune that unexpectedly brings positive outcomes.)
“A blessing in disguise” means something that seems bad or unfortunate at first but turns out to have a good result in the end.
(It’s an apparent misfortune that unexpectedly brings positive outcomes.)
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5 Example Sentences:
1. Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it led me to a much better opportunity.
2. Her illness turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it made her focus on her health.
3. Missing the flight was a blessing in disguise—we avoided a huge storm.
4. The failed relationship was a blessing in disguise; she met her true partner afterward.
5. His injury was a blessing in disguise—it gave him time to write his first novel.
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