ENGLISH PROVERBS AND THEIR MEANINGS

1. A stitch in time saves nine – fix a small problem before it becomes a big one.
2. Actions speak louder than words – what you do is more important than what you say.
3. Honesty is the best policy – it’s always best to be truthful.
4. Don’t judge a book by its cover – don’t make decisions based on appearances.
5. When in rome, do as the romans do – adapt to the customs of the place you are in.
6. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – rumors often have some truth behind them.
7. The early bird catches the worm – people who act early have an advantage.
8. Practice makes perfect – consistent practice leads to mastery.
9. Better late than never – it’s better to do something late than not at all.
10. Two heads are better than one – working together brings better results.
11. Look before you leap – think carefully before taking action.
12. A penny saved is a penny earned – saving money is as good as earning it.
13. Birds of a feather flock together – people with similar interests stay together.
14. You can’t have your cake and eat it too – you can’t enjoy two contradictory things.
15. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – don’t assume success too early.
16. Too many cooks spoil the broth – too many people involved can ruin things.
17. Strike while the iron is hot – take an advantage of an opportunity quickly.
18. The grass is always greener on the other side – other situations always seem better.
19. Rome wasn’t built in a day – important things take time to achieve.
20. Out of sight, out of mind – people forget what they don’t see regularly.
21. Easy come, easy go – things gained easily are lost easily.
22. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you – don’t hurt those who help you.
23. A friend in need is a friend indeed – true friends show up in tough times.
24. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush – it’s better to have a sure thing.
25. All that glitters is not gold – not everything that looks good is valuable.
26. Jack of all trades, master of none – someone good at many things, but not great at
any.
27. Curiosity killed the cat – being too curious can lead to trouble.
28. An apple a day keeps the doctor away – eating healthy helps prevent illness.

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29. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – don’t risk everything in one place.
30. Let sleeping dogs lie – don’t stir up trouble that is settled.
31. You reap what you sow – your actions will have consequences.
32. Make hay while the sun shines – take advantage of good conditions.
33. A rolling stone gathers no moss – constant movement avoids responsibilities.
34. Still waters run deep – quiet people may be very thoughtful.
35. Money doesn’t grow on trees – money is not easy to find.
36. Time and tide wait for no man – don’t delay time won’t wait.
37. Necessity is a mother of invention – problem inspire creative solutions.
38. You can’t please everyone – it’s impossible to satisfy everyone.
39. The squeaky wheel gets the grease – the loudest problems get attention.
40. What goes around comes around – karma: you get what you give.
41. Don’t cry over spilled milk – don’t be upset over things you can’t change.
42. Haste makes waste – rushing leads to mistake.
43. Every cloud has a silver lining – there’s hope even in bad situation.
44. It takes two to tango – both parties are responsible.
45. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure – value is subjective.
46. The pen is mightier than the sword – words are more powerful than violence.
47. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks – it’s hard to change old habits.
48. If it aren’t broke, don’t fix it – don’t change something that works.
49. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – everyone sees beauty differently.
50. A leopard can’t change its spots – people don’t easily change their nature.
51. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill – don’t exaggerate small problems.
52. Beggars can’t be choosers – you must accept what’s offered when you are in need.
53. Hit the nail on the head – say something exactly right.
54. There’s no smoke without fire – rumors are often based on some truth.
55. He who laughs last laughs best – final success is most satisfying.
56. Jack is as good as his master – everyone should be treated equally.
57. Don’t judge too harshly without knowing all facts – appearance deceive.
58. Little by little, the bird builds its nest – small efforts lead to big results.
59. The pot calling the kettle black – criticizing someone for a fault you also have.

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60. No pain, no gain – hard work is needed for success.
61. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link – a group is only as strong as its weakest
member.
62. Don’t cross the bridge until you get to it – don’t worry about future problems.
63. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink – you can offer help, but
can’t force someone to accept it.
64. Don’t put the cart before the horse – do things in the right order.
65. A fool and his money are soon parted – foolish people lose money quickly.
66. Great minds think alike – smart people often have the same ideas.
67. If you want something done right, do it yourself – relaying on others may disappoint.
68. Knowledge is power – being informed gives you an advantage.
69. Live and let live – accept others’ differences.
70. Love is blind – love doesn’t see flaws.
71. Many hands make light work – teamwork makes tasks easier.
72. One step at a time – don’t rush; take things gradually.
73. The best things in life are free – love, friendship, and nature cost nothing.
74. There is no place like home – home is the most comfortable place.
75. Variety is the spice of life – different experiences make life interesting.
76. What’s done is done – the past can’t be changed.
77. You scratch my back, I will scratch yours – help me and I will help you.
78. Charity begins at home – help your family before others.
79. Don’t run before you can walk – learn the basics first.
80. The road to hell is paved with good intentions – good intentions aren’t enough without
action.
81. Barking dogs seldom bite – those who make threats often don’t act on them.
82. A watched pot never boils – time seems longer when you are waiting.
83. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – you need fun to balance work.
84. Appearance can be deceiving – things aren’t always what they seem.
85. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today – avoid procrastination.
86. Familiarity breeds contempt – too much closeness may lead to disrespect.
87. If the shoes fits, wear it – if a comment applies to you, accept it.

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88. It’s no use crying over spilled milk – accept what can’t be changed.
89. Misery loves company – sad people like to have others feel the same.
90. Old habits die hard – habits are hard to break.
91. Opportunity knocks but once – don’t miss chances.
92. Silence is golden – being quiet is valuable.
93. Speaks of the devil – the person just mentioned appears.
94. The proof of the pudding is in the eating – you don’t know until you try.
95. There’s more than one way to skin a cat – there is more than one solution.
96. The more, the merrier – more people make it more fun.
97. To each his own – everyone has their own tastes.
98. You can’t judge a book by its cover – appearances can be misleading.
99. You reap what you sow – you get back what you give.
100. Every dog has its day – everyone gets a chance at success.