Using Common Proverbs
Definition of a proverb
A proverb is a short statement or saying that expresses a basic or general truth or practical precept. Proverbs are different from idioms. They appear in complete sentences whereas idioms are actually phrases, not complete sentences.
"Prevention is better than cure." is a complete sentence and not a phrase. Therefore, it is a proverb. It means it is better to prevent something bad from happening than let that something bad happen, and then remedy it.
"a wolf in sheep's clothing" is a phrase, not a complete sentence. Therefore, it is an idiom. It doesn't actually mean the wolf is wearing the sheep's thick fur! It means a person having bad intentions, but is pretending to be kind and friendly like the sheep!
Some common proverbs that can be used in both spoken and written English are:
Two heads are better than one.
It means the task/job will be done faster and more efficiently if there are two people instead of one.
People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
It means people shouldn't criticize others when they themselves have faults.
Empty vessels make the most noise.
It means people who have the least intelligence often talk a lot but do very little or nothing at all.
One man's meat is another man's poison.
It means what a person likes to do or eat may not be liked by another person.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
It means what is useless to a person may be useful and valuable to another.
The early bird catches the worm.
It means you will get what you want if you make an effort to get to the place first or earlier than the others.
A bad workman blames his tools.
It means a person who is lack of skills often puts the blame on his tools.
A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.
It means it's better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by searching for something else.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
It means someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
Beauty is only skin deep.
It means a person's character is more important than his/her appearance.
All that glitters is not gold.
It means what looks good on the outside may not be so in reality.
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
It means you must not be too confident about what you're planning to do will turn out to be successful. Your plan may turn out to be a failure.
Half a loaf is better than none.
It means having what you already have is better than having nothing at all.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
It means it's difficult to ask a person to change after he/she has got used to his/her ways of doing things.
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names/insulting remarks will never hurt me.
It means physical attacks can hurt me, but bad or cruel words will not.
Click on "vocabulary articles" for "Using Common Idioms".
A proverb is a short statement or saying that expresses a basic or general truth or practical precept. Proverbs are different from idioms. They appear in complete sentences whereas idioms are actually phrases, not complete sentences.
"Prevention is better than cure." is a complete sentence and not a phrase. Therefore, it is a proverb. It means it is better to prevent something bad from happening than let that something bad happen, and then remedy it.
"a wolf in sheep's clothing" is a phrase, not a complete sentence. Therefore, it is an idiom. It doesn't actually mean the wolf is wearing the sheep's thick fur! It means a person having bad intentions, but is pretending to be kind and friendly like the sheep!
Some common proverbs that can be used in both spoken and written English are:
Two heads are better than one.
It means the task/job will be done faster and more efficiently if there are two people instead of one.
People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
It means people shouldn't criticize others when they themselves have faults.
Empty vessels make the most noise.
It means people who have the least intelligence often talk a lot but do very little or nothing at all.
One man's meat is another man's poison.
It means what a person likes to do or eat may not be liked by another person.
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
It means what is useless to a person may be useful and valuable to another.
The early bird catches the worm.
It means you will get what you want if you make an effort to get to the place first or earlier than the others.
A bad workman blames his tools.
It means a person who is lack of skills often puts the blame on his tools.
A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.
It means it's better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by searching for something else.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
It means someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
Beauty is only skin deep.
It means a person's character is more important than his/her appearance.
All that glitters is not gold.
It means what looks good on the outside may not be so in reality.
Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
It means you must not be too confident about what you're planning to do will turn out to be successful. Your plan may turn out to be a failure.
Half a loaf is better than none.
It means having what you already have is better than having nothing at all.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
It means it's difficult to ask a person to change after he/she has got used to his/her ways of doing things.
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names/insulting remarks will never hurt me.
It means physical attacks can hurt me, but bad or cruel words will not.
Click on "vocabulary articles" for "Using Common Idioms".
By Susan L
On 1/29/2010 05:43:00 PM
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