Common English proverbs

This is a list of popular English proverbs. Proverbs are also known as sayings. Proverbs give some form of life advice. Every language and culture has them, and many proverbs exist in more than one language. It is important not to miss any of the words in most proverbs because the meaning can be lost if even one word is changed or left out. This list of English proverbs includes definitions and examples, and is meant to improve English vocabulary and English cultural knowledge.
1PROVERBAbsence makes the heart grow fonder
MEANINGBeing away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appreciate that person or thing more when you see them or it again
EXAMPLE“I used to hate going to my aunt’s house, but now I kind of miss it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
2PROVERBActions speak louder than words.
MEANINGWhat you do is more important than what you say
EXAMPLE“Don’t just tell me you’re going to change. Do it! Actions speak louder than words.”
3PROVERBA journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
MEANINGYou must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long time to finish begins with one step
EXAMPLE“If you want to lose weight, you need to stop eating junk, and you need to start exercising. Today. Not tomorrow. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
4PROVERBAll good things must come to an end
MEANINGEverything ends; good times don’t last forever
EXAMPLE“I wish this vacation would go on forever. It’s too bad that all good things must come to an end.”
5PROVERBA picture is worth a thousand words
MEANINGAn image can tell a story better than words
EXAMPLE“I wasn’t sure that he loved her, but then I saw them hugging at the airport. A picture is worth a thousand words.”
6PROVERBA watched pot never boils
MEANINGIf something takes time to do, it doesn’t help to constantly check on it. You just have to give it time.
EXAMPLE“I know you think he’s going to be a great guitar player one day, but stop criticizing him so much. He just started taking lessons two weeks ago! A watched pot never boils.”
7PROVERBBeggars can’t be choosers
MEANINGIf you’re in a bad situation and someone offers to help you, you have to take whatever they give you and shouldn’t ask for more
EXAMPLE“I was unemployed, and they offered me a job cleaning prison toilets. I didn’t like the job, but I accepted it. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
8PROVERBBeauty is in the eye of the beholder
MEANINGWhat is “beautiful” is different for each person
EXAMPLE“I think their house is ugly, but they seem to like it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
9PROVERBBetter late than never
MEANINGIt’s better to finish something late than to never do it at all
EXAMPLE“Hello, Mr. Jameson. Here is my final essay. Better late than never, right?”
10PROVERBBirds of a feather flock together
MEANINGPeople who are similar spend time together
EXAMPLE“I think we all started hanging out because we all liked anime. Birds of a feather flock together.”
11PROVERBCleanliness is next to godliness
MEANINGIt’s good to be clean. God is clean, and you should be too.
EXAMPLE“Go take a shower before your date. You know what they say; cleanliness is next to godliness.”
12PROVERBDon’t bite the hand that feeds you
MEANINGDon’t make someone angry or hurt someone who is helping you or paying for you
EXAMPLE“You had a fight with your boss? Are you stupid? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
13PROVERBDon’t count your chickens before they hatch.
MEANINGDon’t expect a positive result before you actually see it
EXAMPLEA: “This idea is going to make me millions of dollars!”
B: “Whoa. Let’s slow down. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
14PROVERBDon’t judge a book by its cover
MEANINGDon’t judge someone or something by appearance alone
EXAMPLE“Racism is still a problem today, and it will continue to be that way until we learn not to judge a book by its cover.”
15PROVERBDon’t put all of your eggs in one basket
MEANINGDon’t put all of your hopes and resources into one goal or dream
EXAMPLE“I know you really want to be an actor, but don’t you think you’re being financially irresponsible? Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.”
16PROVERBDon’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
MEANINGIf you can do something today, do it. Don’t wait until tomorrow; don’t procrastinate.
EXAMPLE“You have 6 hours of free time now. You should start on that final psychology assignment. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
17PROVERBDon’t put too many irons in the fire
MEANINGDon’t try to do too many things at the same time; focus on one thing at a time
EXAMPLE“No wonder you’re exhausted. You’re trying to work 4 jobs at the same time! You have too many irons in the fire right now.”
18PROVERBEasy come, easy go
MEANINGWhen you make money quickly, it’s very easy to lose it quickly as well
EXAMPLE“I won $200 at the casino, and then I spent it on a very expensive meal for me and some friends. Easy come, easy go.”
19PROVERBFortune favors the bold
MEANINGPeople who are brave and who take risks are more successful than people who are do things safely all the time
EXAMPLE“It’s a risk, but the reward could be great. I say you go for it. Fortune favors the bold.”
20PROVERBGod helps those who help themselves
MEANINGDon’t just wait for good things to happen to you. Work hard to make them happen
EXAMPLE“If you want a better life, you can’t just sit on your butt thinking about it. You have to work to make it happen. God helps those who help themselves.”
21PROVERBGood things come to those who wait
MEANINGIf you are patient, good things can happen
EXAMPLE“I know you’re hungry, but stop being so impatient. We just ordered our food. Good things come to those who wait.”
22PROVERBHonesty is the best policy
MEANINGIt’s always better to tell the truth than it is to lie
EXAMPLE“If you want people to trust you, you need to be honest with them. Honesty is the best policy.”
23PROVERBHope for the best, prepare for the worst
MEANINGIn any situation, be optimistic about the result, but always be ready for the worst outcome
EXAMPLE“We’re going on vacation next week. It’s supposed to rain a lot, so we’re bringing our umbrellas and a bunch of board games. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
24PROVERBIf it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
MEANINGIf something is already working well, don’t try to change it or improve it
EXAMPLE“Why are you trying to upgrade your PC again? It was working fine before. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
25PROVERBIf you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
MEANINGIf you can’t change someone’s behavior or opinion, sometimes it’s better or easier to do what they want to do
EXAMPLE“I told Mark that we needed to study, but he kept playing video games. Eventually I gave up and just played video games too. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
26PROVERBIf you play with fire, you’ll get burned
MEANINGIf you get involved in something dangerous or beyond your abilities, you will probably experience negative consequences
EXAMPLE“Don’t make him angry. If you play with fire, you’ll get burned.”
27PROVERBIf you want something done right, you have to do it yourself
MEANINGDon’t depend on someone else to do a good job; do it yourself
EXAMPLE“I asked my roommate to wash the dishes, but they ended up super filthy! I guess it’s true what they say: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”
28PROVERBKeep your friends close, and your enemies closer
MEANINGIf someone is your enemy, treat them like a friend so you can be ready if they ever try to betray you
EXAMPLE“We don’t trust each other, but we have to be nice to each other because we work for the same company. I’m worried about him stealing my promotion, so I’m going to keep being nice to him. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, and all that.”
29PROVERBKnowledge is power
MEANINGThe more you know, the more powerful you can be in different areas of your life
EXAMPLE“When we were kids, our parents taught us how to swim. That knowledge helped me to save my cousin’s life when he was 5 years old. Knowledge is power.”
30PROVERBLaughter is the best medicine.
MEANINGWhen you’re in a difficult situation, laughing can make it easier to get through that situation
EXAMPLE“I’m sorry to hear about your dog. Want to watch a funny movie? Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine.”