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This month’s lesson will help you become familiar with a number of
common English proverbs. You will also learn how proverbs are used
in English and when it may be appropriate to use them.
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What is a Proverb?
Proverbs are short, memorable phrases that give advice about life. Virtually all languages
have them. From ancient times people have argued about how to suitably define a
proverb. Here are some possible definitions.

“Proverbs contains wisdom that has been handed down from one generation to the next.”

“A proverb consists of a short sentence or phrase that contains a general piece of

wisdom.”

“Proverbs are phrases expressing knowledge about aspects of life that are universally
familiar to mankind.”

“A Proverbs is a colloquial saying that is easily memorized, and contains traditional beliefs
about life.”

These are all good attempts to explain exactly what a proverb is. The following is a more
comprehensive definition.

“A proverb is a phrase or saying which contains wisdom, truth, experience, lessons and
advice concerning life and which has been handed down from generation to generation.”

However, do proverbs necessarily contain wisdom? Many obviously contradict each

other.

E.g. “Birds of a feather flock together” but “Opposites attract” and “There is no place like
home” but “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

For the language learner proverbs are useful and enjoyable to know and understand, but
as with all idiomatic expressions, care should be taken when using them. This lesson will
introduce some common proverbs and show you how and when they are used in
conversation.
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Exercise 1
A. Below is a list of common English
proverbs. Can you match a beginning
on the right with an ending on the left?
The first one has been done for you.

Beginnings Endings
“Many hands it pours”
“When it rains shouldn’t throw stones”
“Don’t put all your eggs there is fire”
“The early bird make light work”
”People in glasshouses spoil the broth”
”Where there is smoke catches the worm”
“Too many cooks in one basket”
“Kill two birds is another man’s poison”
“One man’s meat with one stone”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”

Scroll down and check your answers

B. After checking your answers, look at the following questions.

1. Have you heard any of these proverbs before?

2. What do you think they mean?

3. Do you have the same, or similar proverbs in your language?

4. Do you know any other English Proverbs?

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C. Look at the statements below that explain the ten proverbs above. Choose
the correct proverb for each. The first one has been done for you.

1. Being early is a good thing The early bird gets the

worm.

2. Rumours are usually based on truth

3. You should be appreciative when something is offered

4. It is unwise to put all your energy into one thing

5. When there is one problem, often many follow

6. It is dangerous to criticise others if you are not perfect yourself

7. A lot of people helping makes a job easier

8. What is good for one person may be bad for another

9. Doing two things at the same time is an excellent way to save time

10. Too many people working on one job can be a bad thing

Scroll down and check your answers

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Proverbs are often used at the end of a

true story someone has told, or in
response to some event. Consider the
following example conversation.

John: “How was your day, Sarah?”

Sarah: “Terrible! This morning I woke up late and missed the bus. I took a taxi to
work, but I left my mobile phone in the taxi. When I finally arrived at work I spilt
coffee all over a really important document.”

John: “What a disaster, but as the saying goes, when it rains it pours.”

Note: Proverbs are used sparingly in native-speech. They are useful and
enjoyable to know and understand, but should be used with care.

Exercise 2
Look at the following situations and choose an appropriate proverb from
today’s lesson.

Situation 1

You are organising a ski trip with some friends, but everyone has different
ideas and opinions about what they want to do and where they want to go. In
the end it becomes impossible to agree and make plans. You
say.……………………….

Situation 2

Your friend has just graduated from high school and you ask her about which
different universities she has applied to. She says that she is only applying to
one university because she is sure she will be accepted. On hearing this, you
say to her…………………………
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Situation 3

You are walking down the street with a few friends and see a man trying to
move a heavy piano into his new apartment. He is having a very difficult time.
The three of you go over and help him. With your help the piano is soon
inside. The man thanks you and says ……………………

Situation 4

You want to buy some clothes that are heavily discounted at an end of
summer sale. You arrive late and everything has already been sold. You go
home and complain to your friend. She says……………………….

Situation 5

Your brother who doesn’t speak English is going to Australia to live. He wants
to learn how to cook because he will be living alone. He complains that he is
so busy studying English he doesn’t have time to learn to cook. You suggest
he buy an English cooking book, so he can learn English and cooking at the
same time. You say, “Why don’t you……………………..”

Situation 6

Steve often criticises people when they are late, but he is sometimes late
himself. You tell him that ………………………

Scroll down and check your answers

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Exercise 1
1. “Many hands make light work”
A lot of people helping makes a job easier
2. “When it rains it pours”
When there is one problem, often many follow
3. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”
It is unwise to put all your energy into one thing
4. “The early bird catches the worm”
Being early is a good thing
5. “People in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones”
It is dangerous to criticise others if you are not perfect yourself
6. ”Where there is smoke there is fire”
Rumours are usually based on truth
7. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”
Too many people working on one job can be a bad thing
8. “Kill two birds with one stone”
Doing two things at the same time is an excellent way to save time
9. “One man’s meat is another mans poison”
What is good for one person may be bad for another
10. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”
You should be pleased and appreciate what is offered to you

Exercise 2
Situation 1 Too many cooks spoil the broth
Situation 2 Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Situation 3 Many hands make light work
Situation 4 The early bird catches the worm
Situation 5 Kill two birds with one stone
Situation 6 People in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones