learn English proverbs for your everyday life
According to the Oxford Dictionary, proverbs are short well-known sayings stating a general truth or piece of advice. Sometimes these sayings are very similar in different languages, but sometimes they are unique and have no equivalents in other languages. All of them represent the century-old popular wisdom and are suitable in many everyday situations. As an English learner, you may find it both useful and interesting to learn English proverbs because some of the more popular ones say a lot about English culture and can help you out when you are at a lost for words.
So here are a few proverbs that are frequently used and easy to remember:
1. Every cloud has a silver lining.
It means that every difficult or sad situation has a comforting or more hopeful aspect, even though this may not be immediately apparent:
I met my best friend when my flight had been cancelled. Every cloud has a silver lining.
2. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
The proverb implies that when abroad or in an unfamiliar environment, you should adopt the customs or behavior of those around you:
Though I hadn’t been used to drinking tea with milk, I tried it and liked it.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
3. Fortune favors the bold.
It means that a successful person is often one who is willing to take risks: Don’t be afraid to take the first step. After all, fortune favors the bold.
4. Birds of a feather flock together.
It means people of the same sort or with the same tastes and interests will be found together:
All her friends like the same music, films and books as her. Birds of a feather flock together.
5. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
The proverb implies that you have to pay for everything in this life, either in the literal or figurative sense:
He believed the frauds who said he would get a car for doing almost nothing. But there is no such
thing as a free lunch.
6. The early bird catches the worm.
It means the person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain the advantage over others:
I got up at 6 o’clock in order to get to the market as early as possible and buy the best fruit and vegetables. The early bird catches the worm.
7. A picture is worth a thousand words.
It means you sometimes have to see something with your own eyes in order to understand it.
I can tell you about Paris for hours, but a picture is worth a thousand words. You must go there and see that beautiful city yourself.
As you can see, proverbs can come in very handy in your everyday use of English. This being said, you shouldn’t overdo it because there’s a golden mean in everything. So make sure your proverbs are appropriate for the situation and said in proper time!
this article was written by Kate, an English teacher at Break Into English
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