Famous Proverbs | 50+ Famous Proverbs With Meaning for ESL Learners

Famous Proverbs: Proverbs are traditional sayings that are particular to a specific country. They are short, wise sayings that usually offer some advice for life or guidance. Native English speakers often use proverbs in their usual conversations, doing this without even realising it.

Proverbs are also a critical part of engaging fluently with people of a particular culture, and they sometimes reveal more about the culture of a country than any textbook can.  It is essential to not miss any of the words in proverbs as the meaning can entirely change or be lost even if one word is changed or left out.

Every language and culture in this world has its proverbs and sayings, and many proverbs exist in more than one language. They help to improve English vocabulary and English cultural knowledge. This article will provide you with 58 famous proverbs and their meanings for you to learn the proverb.

Famous Proverbs in English and Their Meanings

• A stitch in time saves nine: This proverb refers to procrastination: getting your work done ahead of time or completing a simple task earlier will save your effort.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: This proverb refers to the fact that everyone sees beauty differently, and what is unpleasant to one person may be appealing to another.
• Birds of a feather flock together: People who have similar or coinciding interests often tend to be friendly or may be found together.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do: One should follow the local customs of whichever place they are at, even if it seems strange or disagreeable.
• Better late than never: It is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
• Don’t judge abook by its cover: We should not form an opinion or judge someone or something by seeing its outer appearance.
• Beauty is only skin-deep: Physical beauty does not represent someone’s true self.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder: One tends to have a fonder memory and feeling about someone or something after they are gone for some time.
• Honesty is the best policy: It is always best, to be honest, and tell the truth to gain trust and respect from others.
• Half the truth is often a whole lie: Providing only specific details and hiding others is the same as lying.
• Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones: One should not abuse other people if he is himself vulnerable, or you should not criticise others for their flaws if you have them yourself.
• Many hands make light work: When many people work together to accomplish a difficult task, it becomes easier to complete.
• Too many cooks spoil the broth: When too many people are trying to lead and give their opinions, it’s confusing and often leads to undesirable results.
• The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence: The lives of others always appear to be better, happier, and more successful than yours, even if you are doing well.
• Strike while the iron is hot: One should make use or take advantage of a favourable situation before it changes.
• Practice makes perfect: If you want to be good or excel at something, you need to do it regularly.
• Practice what you preach: You should act or behave in the way you say others to behave.
• An apple a day keeps the doctor away: Proper nutrition contributes to good health and lessens visits to the doctor. Here, apples are a symbol of healthy foods and adequate nutrition.
• Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: We should not misbehave or treat badly the person or people on whom we depend or who take care of us in some way or the other.
• Actions speak louder than words: A person’s real character can be seen by what he does and not by what he says. Someone can talk as much as they want to, but he may not do anything to support his words.
• Rome wasn’t built in a day: Time is needed to do great or crucial things.
• My hands are tied: A person is unable to change things or act freely in a given situation due to certain restrictions.
• It’s no use crying over spilled milk: One should not waste time crying or complaining about something bad that happened which cannot be undone.
• Out of sight, out of mind: If you don’t see or hear about something, you tend to forget about it with time.
• Still waters run deep: People who tend to be quiet and do not say much often have a “deep,” or interesting personality.
• The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest: Things that are prohibited or restrained appear to be very attractive or desirable.
• Curiosity killed the cat: One can get harmed by being too curious or interested in something that doesn’t concern them.
• A penny saved is a penny earned: Saving money that you already earned is as useful as earning more money.
• Easy come, easy go: Money can be earned easily and just as quickly be spent or lost.
• You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs: It is not possible to do something good or accomplish an important task without encountering problems or making sacrifices.
• Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: One should always have a backup plan and must not risk everything on the success of one plan or venture.
• It’s the tip of the iceberg: Only a small part of an iceberg is visible above the water, and the rest is underwater. This proverb thus describes a situation when we are trying to do something, and we encounter difficulty or problem in connection with it. Even the present crisis is not the most difficult part of the entire process, and when there is a much larger part that is not seen or known about lies ahead.
• If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours: I will do something to help you only if you do something to help me.
• The pen is mightier than the sword: Convincing people with ideas and words is more effective than forcing people with military power or violence.
• First things first: The essential things and works should be done before everything else.
• Learn to walk before you run: Learn basic skills before you attempt to do something more complex. Start off with easier skills or materials, gradually increase your knowledge, and learn more difficult topics or skills afterwards.
• The early bird catches the worm: When you arrive early or do something before everyone else does, you have a greater chance of succeeding.
• Don’t bite off more than you can chew: One should not take on more work or responsibility than one can handle at a time.
• It’s better to be safe than sorry: One should be careful and exercise caution even when it seems unnecessary and takes longer to complete something to avoid potential problems that could arise in the future.
• Where there’s a will, there’s a way: If someone is determined to accomplish something strongly enough, you will find a way to do it despite the obstacles.
• Necessity is the mother of invention: When you’re really in need of something essential, you think of creative solutions and ways to get your job done.
• Don’t make a mountain out of an anthill (molehill): Don’t make a trivial problem, issue or difficulty into a major one; don’t exaggerate the importance of a small problem.
• Always put your best foot forward: You should always try your best to make a good impression on others by showing your best traits and qualities.
• God helps those who help themselves: One must start working to achieve their goals and not just wait for good things to happen.
• The squeaky wheel gets the grease: A person who complains the most or causes problems about something receives the help or attention he asks for rather than someone who stays quiet and does not cause problems.

• A rolling stone gathers no moss: This proverb can have two meanings:
  • A person who is constantly moving and never settles in one place for very long cannot be successful or have responsibilities or commitments, or
  • A busy person will not become inactive but will remain creative and productive.
• Love makes the world go round: Love is an essential thing in life, and it makes life more pleasant when people treat each other with love.
• Two wrongs don’t make a right: When someone has done something unfair to you, trying to get revenge by acting similarly will only make things worse.
• Great minds think alike: When two people have a similar opinion or make the same choice, they consider themselves intelligent, often jokingly.
• After a storm comes a calm: After facing many obstructions, things improve and calm down sooner or later.
• Every Jack has his Jill: Everyone can find the right person or the right romantic relationship in life.
• Cleanliness is next to godliness: One should keep themselves, their personal space and even their surroundings clean.
• Keep your friends close and your enemies closer: It is beneficial to keep a keen eye on your enemies to know their weaknesses and strengths, surpassing what you may have on their friends.
• There is no such thing as a free lunch: There is always some cost in one way or the other for what is provided to you.
• Old habits die hard: Things that you have been doing for a long period are challenging to stop doing.
• Truth is stranger than fiction: Reality and truth can be surprising and shocking at times.
• Variety is the spice of life: It’s important to do many different types of things in life to make it enjoyable and interesting.
• All good things must come to an end: You can’t keep having good luck or enjoyable things forever. Eventually, everything comes to an end.

The post Famous Proverbs | 50+ Famous Proverbs With Meaning for ESL Learners appeared first on A Plus Topper.

*Note that these contents are Autoblogged from A Plus Topper and cannot be edited.