Type:
proverb
(proverb) a foolish person will lose all of his money easily
(proverb) a person cannot change who they are, a person cannot change their identity
(proverb) pictures describe things much more easily than words do
Example Sentences:
Teacher: Do you understand what I’m saying?
Student: No.
Teacher: Why not?
Student: It’s just not very clear. Can you draw me a picture? After all, a picture paints a thousand words.
Media:
Click to hear a native speaker pronounce.
(proverb) be patient, especially when you’re watching something
(proverb) something that looks attractive may not be valuable
Example Sentences:
A: My boyfriend bought me a diamond ring in Chinatown, and it only cost him $100!
B: Well, all that glitters is not gold. You should get a jeweler to check it to make sure it is real.
Sarah’s new cell phone looks great, but it doesn’t work at all. All that glitters is not gold.
Media:
(proverb) if you eat fruit, you will remain healthy
(proverb) when a situation is bad, any chance at relief is good
(proverb) if you did bad things in the past, you will get bad results in the future
if you did good things in the past, you will get good results in the future
Example Sentences:
That man was a criminal a few years ago, and now he’s in jail. As you sow, so you shall reap.
Mary was always kind to everyone. She volunteered, gave money to charity, and helped the homeless. As you sow, so you shall reap. She just won the lottery!
(proverb) physical beauty is unimportant
Example Sentences:
A: Her new boyfriend is so ugly!
B: Shut up! Beauty is only skin deep! He’s a very kind and friendly guy!
Son: Mom, are looks important?
Mom: No, son. Remember that beauty is only skin deep. Even the ugliest person can be beautiful inside.
(proverb) people who don’t have an option have to accept what is offered
(proverb) it is better to do something correctly than not at all, it is better to arrive somewhere late than take risks and have an accident
Example Sentences:
Mom: I know you’re late for your appointment, but drive carefully! Better late than never!
Son: Yes, mom!
(proverb) it is better to do something correctly than not at all, it is better to arrive somewhere late than take risks and have an accident
Example Sentences:
Mom: I know you’re late for your appointment, but drive carefully! Better safe than sorry!
Son: Yes, mom!
Media:
(proverb) people who have the same characteristics or beliefs often want to stay together
Example Sentences:
My friends and I all love playing football, going to the nightclub, and drinking beer. Birds of a feather, flock together, I guess!
(proverb) relationships between family members (blood) are stronger than other relationships (water)
Example Sentences:
A: I can’t decide if I should go to my brother’s birthday party or my roommate’s!
B: Remember that blood is thicker than water. You should go to your brother’s!
A: Yeah, you’re right.
(proverb) to hurt yourself when trying to hurt someone else
(proverb) don’t make future plans based on something that has not happened yet
Example Sentences:
Teenager: I’m going to go to Harvard and do an Undergraduate degree. Then I’m going to study Law, and become a successful and rich lawyer. After that, I’m going to go into politics and maybe become the President.
Dad: Okay son, but don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched. Focus on getting into Harvard first, and then make your decisions.
(proverb) don’t get upset about small things that have no importance
Example Sentences:
A: I missed my bus! I’m so angry!
B: Hey, don’t cry over spilled milk. Another bus will come along soon.
I know you feel bad about failing that test, but you really shouldn’t cry over spilled milk. I’m sure you’ll do better on the next one.
Media:
(proverb) looks are not as important as what is inside
Example Sentences:
A: Eww, I’m not going into that nightclub. It looks terrible!
B: Hey, don’t judge a book by its cover. It looks bad on the outside, but it’s really nice inside.
When I first met my boyfriend, I thought he was really unattractive. After I got to know him, I realized that he was funny, intelligent, and really nice. I’m glad I didn’t judge a book by its cover, or I never would have married him!
Media:
(proverb) don’t put all of your risk into one thing
Example Sentences:
If you are saving for your retirement, you should make sure that you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Make sure you put some money into stocks, mutual funds, and bonds.
Billy decided to travel to Paris to live with a girl he met on the internet. He had to sell all of his things in order to get an airplane ticket. Billy’s friends warned him that he was putting all of his eggs in one basket, but he didn’t listen.
Media:
(proverb) every bad situation has some positives
Example Sentences:
I know your boyfriend ended your relationship, but remember that every cloud has a silver lining. You’ll find a new boyfriend soon!
(proverb) every person will have a period of happiness and satisfaction in his or her lifetime
Example Sentences:
A: I hope that I get that new job. The salary is excellent and the hours are great!
B: Every dog has its day. I’m sure you’ll get it.
(proverb) other people’s things always seem so much better than your things
Example Sentences:
A: Have you seen my new neighbour? He’s good-looking!
B: So are you.
A: He drives a Ferrari!
B: So do you.
A: He has a sexy wife!
B: Your wife is good-looking as well. Don’t you think that maybe the grass is always greener on the other side? You are jealous just because he’s your neighbour.
A: You’re right, thanks. Stay away from my wife.
After visiting Canada, the American man wanted to move there. Then he remembered that the grass is always greener on the other side, and he decided to stay in the USA.
Media:
having connections is more important than your skills or abilities
(proverb) to accomplish two things at the same time
Example Sentences:
I traveled to New York to try and find a job. While I was there, I met a very handsome guy, who asked me out on a date. He also offered me a job with his company. I really killed two birds with one stone!
I went shopping for shoes, and I also bought a purse! I killed two birds with one stone!
(proverb) laughing is very good and solves all problems
(proverb) don’t talk about a problem in the past that is likely to cause more difficulties now
Example Sentences:
When my brother told my parents that he thought he had had a terrible childhood, I warned him that he should let sleeping dogs lie. A huge argument followed.
A: Hey, that’s the waiter that served us two weeks ago.
B: Yeah, it is!
A: I’m going to tell him that the service was terrible last time.
B: No, don’t.
A: Why not?
B: Because you should let sleeping dogs lie. You don’t want him to spit in our food, do you?
(proverb) find a problem with a gift that you have been given
(proverb) people who are sad like to be with others who are also sad
(proverb) being happy is more important than being rich
(proverb) without suffering, there is no reward
Example Sentences:
A: This exercise is so difficult!
B: Yeah but it’ll help you lose weight. As they say, no pain, no gain!
I really hate studying, but no pain, no gain. If I don’t study I’ll never get into a good university.
(proverb) if you don’t take a risk, you won’t get a reward
Example Sentences:
A: Are you going to go to Law school?
B: No, I don’t think so. It’s too expensive and I think it’s too difficult.
A: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You won’t become rich if you keep working at your current job.
(proverb) to go from a situation that is bad, to one that is worse
(proverb) please give me your opinion
Example Sentences:
A: What do you think of global warming?
B: I don’t know.
A: Penny for your thoughts?
B: Well, if you want to know, I feel like people aren’t doing enough to stop it!
A: What do you think about Lisa? Penny for your thoughts?
B: People don’t like Lisa very much because she is always giving her opinion, even if people aren’t asking for it.
From the Blogs:
Penny for your Thoughts with Penny Cohen
Media:
(proverb) to begin something with a lot of effort and hard work
(proverb) a quiet person may be extremely wise and intelligent
Example Sentence:
That guy in our class is always very shy and quiet, so I decided to talk to him on the bus yesterday. He was so funny and smart, we had a great conversation. Still waters run deep, I guess!
(proverb) if you make small repairs now, it is much better than making large repairs later
Example Sentences:
A: Are you going to start exercising? You’ve gained a bit of weight.
B: I only gained five pounds! I’ll exercise if I get fatter.
A: But you should start soon, after all, a stitch in time saves nine. It’s easier to lose five pounds than it is to lose 25!
B: You’re right!
Media:
(proverb) children are very similar to their parents
(proverb) the person who gets started early has a better chance of success
(proverb) you are accusing someone of doing a thing that you are guilty of
Example Sentences:
Mom: I can’t believe you smoked marijuana! I’m so angry!
Son: I’m 18 years old. Didn’t you smoke marijuana when you were 18?
Mom: Yes, but this is different! I was more mature than you!
Son: Well, this is the pot calling the kettle black! You did exactly the same thing.
The Shane tried to criticize Wayne for driving drunk, until he realized that doing that would be like the pot calling the kettle black, because Shane had been arrested for drunk driving two years ago.
(proverb) people who complain the most will get what they want
(proverb) people who complain the most will get what they want
(proverb) the final terrible thing that makes a situation unbearable
(proverb) it’s always better to have two people doing something
Example Sentences:
A: How are you doing with your presentation?
B: Not so good.
A: Do you want help?
B: Sure! Two heads are better than one.
The scientist asked his colleague to look at his work because two heads are better than one.
(proverb) if you really want to do something, you will find a way to do it
Example Sentences:
A: I would like to go to Greece on vacation, but I need $1000.00 for my plane ticket. I don’t know what to do!
B: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If you really want to go, you should get a second job.
(proverb) you can’t have it all
Example Sentences:
A: Tomoko works so hard to have a beautiful house, but she’s so busy that she can’t enjoy it.
B: What do you mean?
A: She works 15 hours a day, and only goes home to sleep.
B: I guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too!
I wanted to take that class so badly, but when I arrived the teacher was terrible. I have a great class and a terrible teacher! You can’t have your cake and eat it too!
From the Blogs:
Media:
(proverb) a person cannot change who they are, a person cannot change their identity
Example Sentences:
Son: I want dad to go skydiving with me.
Mom: Why?
Son: It is fun, and I want him to experience something new.
Mom: Oh, son, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Your father has never gone skydiving before. He’s not going to start now!
(proverb) if you did bad things in the past, you will get bad results in the future
if you did good things in the past, you will get good results in the future
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