Questions tagged [proverbs]
A simple truth that expresses an idea or fact.
325 questions
6
votes
9
answers
816
views
Proverb for when one is already in a hurry but the condition wastes even more time
I am looking for a proverb (short adage) for when one is already in a hurry but the situation makes the person wait even more.
Today I was in a hurry. I had to reach home at 2 o'clock but the driver ...
- 4,468
1
vote
2
answers
169
views
Origin of the saying "let go or be dragged"
Let go or be dragged.
This is a saying often associated with Zen Buddhism (occasionally Stoicism). As far as I can tell, there's no historical connection, and it might well be originally English. ...
- 7,804
-1
votes
5
answers
46k
views
What does "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time, and it annoys the pig" mean?
It's a quote by Robert Heinlein. I'm curious to hear its deeper meaning.
- 1
11
votes
10
answers
5k
views
What's the opposite saying to "A broken clock is right twice a day"?
A familiar proverb runs:
A broken clock is right twice a day.
is a saying used to express that even an entity which is typically wrong, would sometimes be right accidentally.
Is there an inverse ...
- 21
2
votes
3
answers
605
views
Idioms or expressions defining either getting paid fully or being appreciated
I am looking for a common English expression/idiom that defines a situation below:
I have done some work for someone, and in return, they are not going to pay me the full payment. Then I will tell ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
4
answers
490
views
Ignorance is the opposite of bliss
The proverb "ignorance is bliss" is used to express that somebody feels better by not knowing all the details about a topic.
In an existing thread titled "ignorance is not bliss", ...
- 61
2
votes
3
answers
491
views
What is the English term, when someone provides truthful 'extra' information in support to promote own propaganda?
Though the title asks the main question, I will give an example.
Imagine a tabloid, which wants to defame a famous personality, say Abraham Lincoln or Michael Jackson. The writers know that, just ...
CommunityBot
- 1
23
votes
3
answers
210k
views
Origin of "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."?
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. - Confucius
What is the origin, and evolution, of this popular quote? It has a nice air of pseudo-profundity to it; one problem ...
- 103
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Origin of the proverb "There is a lid for every pot"
There is a lid for every pot is a saying that essentially means "There is someone for everyone", most commonly used in the context of romantic relationships. Variations include "Every ...
- 33.3k
5
votes
1
answer
482
views
Is "Irish potatoes are not boiled twice" a valid proverb?
This "proverb" was used 40 years ago in my dad's school by an English teacher.
My dad says his teacher used it to mean, "Instructions will not be repeated". For example, if a ...
- 174k
5
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is there an English proverb for “Ogni santo ha i suoi devoti”, which suggests that, to different degrees, every person has someone who likes them?
The Italian proverb “ogni santo ha i suoi devoti” literally, “every saint has their own devotees” is generally used to suggest that, to different degrees, every person has someone who likes them.
A ...
- 61
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Origin and evolution of the proverb "A closed mouth catches no flies"
"A closed mouth catches no flies" is a proverb, and the origins of proverbs are almost always strange and murky; I'm not really expecting a definitive answer here. Wiktionary attributes the ...
- 41
5
votes
1
answer
316
views
Looking for an aphorism/verse for "If you ask for less, you are more likely to receive it" (or the double inverse)
Looking for an aphorism/verse for the sentiment...
If you ask for less, you are more likely to receive it
...in the context of luck or prayers being answered.
- 1,893
7
votes
3
answers
16k
views
What does "God sends meat and devil sends cooks" mean?
What does the quote God sends meat and devil sends cooks by Thomas Deloney mean?
And if it doesn't have a specific meaning, in which situation can I use it?
- 174k
10
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Whence comes the expression ‘’starve a cold, feed a fever?”
What is the origin of the expression "starve a cold, feed a fever"? It is is used as basic (perhaps incorrect) medical advice for common illnesses.
- 3,293