Traditional proverbs of United Kingdom in en and English — each with its meaning and source.
A stitch in time saves nine.
“A stitch in time saves nine.”
Dealing with a small problem promptly prevents it from becoming a much bigger one.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded by Thomas Fuller in Gnomologia (1732)
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch.”
Do not rely on something good happening before it has actually happened.
Source: Traditional English proverb, rooted in Aesop's fables; English form popularized 16th century
The early bird catches the worm.
“The early bird catches the worm.”
Those who act promptly or arrive first gain an advantage.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in John Ray's A Collection of English Proverbs (1670)
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
When too many people work on a single task, the result is worse, not better.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in the 16th century
Every cloud has a silver lining.
“Every cloud has a silver lining.”
Even in difficult situations there is usually some hope or positive aspect.
Source: English proverb derived from John Milton's Comus (1634), which coined the phrase 'silver lining'
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Adapt to the customs of the place or company you find yourself in.
Source: Traditional English proverb, long attested in English usage
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
It is better to keep what you already have than to risk it for something uncertain.
Make hay while the sun shines.
“Make hay while the sun shines.”
Take advantage of favourable conditions while they last.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in John Heywood's A Dialogue Conteynyng Prouerbes (1546)
Actions speak louder than words.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
What people do is more telling and important than what they merely say.
Source: English proverb, attested in this form from the 17th century
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
“You can't have your cake and eat it too.”
You cannot enjoy two mutually exclusive benefits at the same time.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Saving money is just as valuable as earning it.
Source: Traditional English proverb; a close variant, 'A penny saved is a penny got,' was recorded by Thomas Fuller in Gnomologia (1732)
All that glitters is not gold.
“All that glitters is not gold.”
Appearances can be deceiving; not everything that looks valuable or promising truly is.
Source: English proverb traced to Chaucer's The Canon's Yeoman's Tale (14th century), popularized as 'All that glisters is not gold' in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (1596)
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Being separated from someone often increases affection for them.
Source: English proverb popularized by the poem 'Isle of Beauty,' attributed to Thomas Haynes Bayly (1844)
All good things must come to an end.
“All good things must come to an end.”
Even the most pleasant circumstances or periods eventually finish.
Source: Traditional English proverb, long attested in English usage since the medieval period
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Eating healthily and taking care of oneself helps prevent illness.
Source: English proverb derived from a Welsh saying recorded in Notes and Queries (1866)
As you sow, so shall you reap.
“As you sow, so shall you reap.”
The results you get in life reflect the effort and actions you put in.
Source: Traditional English proverb, echoing the biblical text Galatians 6:7
Barking dogs seldom bite.
“Barking dogs seldom bite.”
People who make the loudest threats are often the least dangerous.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
What is considered beautiful differs from person to person.
Source: English proverb popularized in its modern form by Margaret Wolfe Hungerford's novel Molly Bawn (1878)
Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
“Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.”
It is often safer to deal with a familiar problem than risk an unknown one.
Birds of a feather flock together.
“Birds of a feather flock together.”
People with similar interests or characters tend to associate with one another.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in English usage since the 16th century
Blood is thicker than water.
“Blood is thicker than water.”
Family bonds are stronger and more important than other relationships.
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Being clean is closely associated with moral and spiritual virtue.
Source: English proverb popularized by John Wesley in a published sermon (1791)
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
“Don't bite the hand that feeds you.”
Do not harm or betray someone who supports or helps you.
Don't cry over spilt milk.
“Don't cry over spilt milk.”
There is no use being upset over something that has already happened and cannot be undone.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in James Howell's collection of English proverbs (1659)
Don't judge a book by its cover.
“Don't judge a book by its cover.”
Do not form an opinion about someone or something based only on outward appearance.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, widely attested in English usage since the mid-20th century
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
“Don't put all your eggs in one basket.”
Do not risk everything on a single venture; spread out risk.
Source: Traditional English proverb, echoed in Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote (1605) and widely used in English by the 18th century
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
“Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
Avoid procrastination; act promptly on tasks.
Source: Traditional English proverb, echoing sentiments in Lord Chesterfield's Letters to His Son (18th century)
Easy come, easy go.
“Easy come, easy go.”
Things gained without effort are often lost or spent just as quickly.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 17th century
Empty vessels make the most sound.
“Empty vessels make the most sound.”
People with the least knowledge or substance often talk the loudest.
Source: Traditional English proverb, echoed in Shakespeare's Henry V ('empty vessels make the greatest sound')
First come, first served.
“First come, first served.”
Those who arrive earliest are attended to before those who arrive later.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale (14th century)
Fortune favours the brave.
“Fortune favours the brave.”
Those who act courageously are more likely to succeed.
Source: Traditional English proverb translating the Latin 'audentes fortuna iuvat' (Virgil, Aeneid)
Give a man enough rope and he will hang himself.
“Give a man enough rope and he will hang himself.”
If given enough freedom, a person prone to bad judgment will bring about their own downfall.
Great minds think alike.
“Great minds think alike.”
Intelligent or capable people often come to the same conclusions independently.
Haste makes waste.
“Haste makes waste.”
Acting too quickly often leads to mistakes and wasted effort.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in English proverb collections since the 16th century
He who laughs last laughs longest.
“He who laughs last laughs longest.”
Ultimate success or vindication matters more than an early advantage.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 18th century
Honesty is the best policy.
“Honesty is the best policy.”
Being truthful is always the wisest and most beneficial course of action.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 16th century, echoed by Sir Edwin Sandys (1599)
If the shoe fits, wear it.
“If the shoe fits, wear it.”
If a description or criticism applies to you, accept that it does.
It never rains but it pours.
“It never rains but it pours.”
Difficult events tend to happen all at once rather than singly.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded as the title of a 1726 pamphlet by Jonathan Swift
Least said, soonest mended.
“Least said, soonest mended.”
Saying as little as possible about a difficult matter helps resolve it faster.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 16th century
Let sleeping dogs lie.
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
Avoid interfering in a situation that is currently causing no trouble.
Source: Traditional English proverb, echoed in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (14th century)
Look before you leap.
“Look before you leap.”
Consider the consequences carefully before taking action.
Many hands make light work.
“Many hands make light work.”
A task becomes easier when many people share the effort.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 14th century
Money doesn't grow on trees.
“Money doesn't grow on trees.”
Money is not easily obtained and should not be wasted.
Source: Traditional English proverb, attested in English usage since the 19th century
Necessity is the mother of invention.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Difficult circumstances inspire creative solutions.
Source: Traditional English proverb echoing a sentiment in Plato's Republic, attested in English usage since the 16th century
No news is good news.
“No news is good news.”
If nothing bad has been reported, things are probably fine.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Without taking a risk, one cannot expect to achieve a reward.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (14th century)
Once bitten, twice shy.
“Once bitten, twice shy.”
A bad experience makes a person more cautious in the future.
Out of sight, out of mind.
“Out of sight, out of mind.”
People or things tend to be forgotten once they are no longer visible or present.
Source: Traditional English proverb, recorded in English usage since the 13th century
Practice makes perfect.
“Practice makes perfect.”
Repeated effort and practice lead to improved skill and mastery.
Still waters run deep.
“Still waters run deep.”
A calm or quiet exterior can conceal deep or complex feelings and thoughts.
Quick Links
Support Center
Help & contact options
Dashboard
Manage your account
4848 Shops
Browse fish, pajama & rabbit shops
System Status
Check service health
Download App
Get the Host App