Proverbs And Their Meanings

Note: Click to read Part II: D-H

1. A bad workman always blames his tools

Meaning: someone who performs a job poorly or unsuccessfully but lays the blame on external factors, rather than taking responsibility for their own failure.

2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: it is better to keep something that you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get much more.

3. A burnt child dreads the fire

Meaning: Someone who has experienced some kind of negative situation or consequence will try to avoid making the same mistake or experiencing the same situation again.

4. A drowning man will clutch at a straw

Meaning: Someone who is desperate will try to use anything for help, even if it is really no help at all.

5. A friend in need is a friend indeed

Meaning: A true friend offers help when one needs it most.

6. A hungry man is angry man

Meaning: Someone deprived of a basic necessity will not be easily placated.

7. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Meaning: Having a precursory or limited amount of knowledge about something can make one overestimate how well they will be able to do something much larger in scope or scale.

8. Action speaks louder than words

Meaning: Actions are more revealing of one's true character since it is easy to say things or make promises, but it takes effort to do things and follow through.

9. All is well that ends well

Meaning: used to say that a person can forget about how unpleasant or difficult something was because everything ended in a good way

10. All that glitters is not gold

Meaning: Not everyone/everything that appears shiny on the outside is actually good/precious

11. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

Meaning: Working too much can be bad for one's health or can make one boring.

12. A man is known by the company he keeps

Meaning: A person tends to be very similar in attitude, character, ability, or personality to the people with whom they associate or spend time.

13. A rolling stone gathers no moss

Meaning: A person who wanders or travels often and at length will not be burdened by attachments such as friends, family, or possessions. Can be used as a negative (to suggest that such a person won't find a fulfilling place in life) or as a positive (to suggest that they will have a more interesting and unpredictable life).

14. A sound mind in a sound body

Meaning: Being healthy both mentally and physically are equally important.

15. A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning: used to say that it is better to fix a problem when it is small than to wait and let it become a bigger problem

16. As you sow, so shall you reap

Meaning: to experience the same kind of things that one has caused other people to experience

17. A watched pot never boils

Meaning: used to mean that time passes very slowly when one is waiting for something to happen if that is the only thing one is thinking about

18. Barking dogs seldom bite

Meaning: to threaten or yell at someone, but not take action or follow through with threats

19. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Meaning: means that different people have different ideas about what is beautiful.

20. Better late than never

Meaning: It is better to do something after it was supposed to have been done than not to do it at all.

21. Birds of a feather flock together

Meaning: It means that people who are alike tend to do things together.

22. Blood is thicker than water

Meaning: relationships and loyalties within a family are the strongest and most important ones.

23. Care killed the cat

Meaning: Worrying too much about something leads to stress.

24. Constant dripping wears away the stone

Meaning: It means that persistence will achieve a difficult or unlikely objective

25. Curiosity killed the cat

Meaning: Being inquisitive about other people's affairs may get you into trouble.

Sources:

• Oxford Dictionary
• The Free Dictionary by Farflex
• Merriam-Webster
• theidioms
• Dictionary