45 sayings and proverbs in English (with translation and explanation)
In this article you can find a series of English proverbs and sayings that will make you think and reflect on life . They are phrases that we often use and that, with just a few words, we can say a lot.
Sayings are popular phrases that have been repeated, unchanged, for years and even centuries. Generally, through them a moral thought, a piece of advice or a vital teaching is expressed.
45 English proverbs and sayings
Below you can find a list of English proverbs and sayings with their translation (not literal) and a short explanation.
1. Kill two birds with one stone
- Translation: Kill two birds with one stone.
This saying is used to refer to the fact that two things have been achieved at the same time or to solve two problems at once by doing only one thing.
2. Eat, drink and be merry (for tomorrow we die)
- Translation: Drink and swallow, the world is going to end.
A nice rhyme that talks about there being only one moment present and that we should take advantage of it. We only have one life, we have to make it an unbeatable experience.
3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
- Translation: Absence feeds the heart.
We humans value what we don’t have around us. These words express just that meaning. In other words, when we miss something, that’s when we value it.
4. All that glitters is not gold
- Translation: All that glitters is not gold.
Many times we are left with the superficial part of things, leaving aside the true meaning or what really happens. In addition, it is also used to recommend that we should not trust appearances.
5. Barking dogs never bite
- Translation: Barking Dog, Little Bitty
We all know those people who lie more than they talk , and who usually brag, but then do nothing. The barking dog is the person who always tells his little battles, but bites little because he hasn’t really done half of what he says.
5. A stitch in time saves nine
- Translation: Better safe than sorry.
It is better to take action early than to have to repent in the future for not doing so.
6. A cat in gloves catches no mice
- Translation: Cat with gloves doesn’t catch mice.
Used for criticism of those who are not fully engaged in work . For example, when someone goes to work but is so dressed up that they don’t do their job properly so as not to get dirty.
7. Actions speak louder than words
- Translation: Actions speak louder than words.
This phrase can also be expressed in different ways: “words are carried away by the wind” or “from saying to doing there is a long way”.
8. Things often happen when you least expect them to
- Translation: Where the greyhound least thinks, the hare jumps.
Sometimes opportunities come when you least expect them.
9. A leopard never changes its spots
- Translation: He who is born a piglet dies a pig.
This phrase refers to the fact that nobody changes their nature and you cannot fight against destiny.
10. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
- Translation: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
This saying applies in moments when they do something bad to us and all we want is revenge. It is against reconciliation.
11. A word is enough to the wise
- Translation: To a good understanding, few words are enough
In other words, there is no need to keep repeating things when one time should be enough.
12. All cats are grey in the dark
- Translation: At night all cats are brown.
In reference to the fact that at night and in the dark, imperfections are not seen.
13. Give the benefit of the doubt
- Translation: Give the benefit of the doubt.
We should not judge people at the first sign of change, but wait until we have evidence to accuse.
16. Appearances are disappointing
- Translation: Appearances can be deceiving.
It is a similar saying to the previous one, in which people should not be judged because their body image may not be what the person really is.
17. Take what someone says with a pinch of salt
- Translation: Catching something with tweezers.
Grabbing something with tweezers refers to being careful, as it is not something that is very safe or proven.
18. An apple a day keeps the doctor away
- Translation: Better safe than sorry.
Another English saying that refers to prevention being better than cure . That is, better to take action now than to have to regret it later.
19. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
- Translation: Better a bird in the hand than a hundred in the bush.
It’s better to play it safe than to speculate and have a thousand things on your mind and then run out.
20. Take no notice of the stupid things people say
- Translation: To foolish words, deaf ears.
You have to get past the comments of others. So that you can be bitter about what ignorant people say.
21. Add insult to injury
- Translation:Adding fuel to the fire.
A phrase that goes in the direction of making things worse, of complicating matters.
22. There’s nothing so queer as folk
- Translation: Everything is in the Lord’s vineyard.
A date that is used when someone is strange or not within the social standards.
23. Speak of the devil
- Translation: Speaking of the king of Rome.
Although the literal translation is more like “speaking of the devil”, in English it is “speaking of the king of Rome”. In other words, to be talking about someone who just happens to show up at that moment.
24. Costs an arm and a leg
- Translation: It costs an arm and a leg.
A saying that is used to talk about something being too expensive.
25. All roads lead to Rome
- Translation: All roads lead to Rome.
No matter what path you take, you’ll reach your destination in the end.
26. Feeling a bit under the weather
- Translation: Being a little pachucho in Spanish.
Basically, to feel bad or not to be fine. When you’re tired or sick.
27. Love laughs at locksmiths
- Translation:Love does not respect the law, nor does it obey the king
Love is a very intense feeling that provokes the desire and the impulse to be with the person we love.
28. Beggars can’t be choosers
- Translation: When there is hunger, there is no hard bread.
When one is having a hard time, one clings to anything in order to appease that feeling.
29. Curiosity killed the cat
- Translation: Curiosity killed the cat.
It means that we should not ask or be curious, that we might regret it.
30. Hear it through the grapevine
- Translation: A little bird told me.
A little bird told you when you tell someone you know something but don’t want to say the name of the person who told you.
31. Everyone gets his comeuppance in the end
- Translation: Every pig gets his Saint Martin.
- Translation: From figs to brevas.
- Translation: The penalties with bread are less.
- Translation: Swimming between two waters.
- Translation: You have to have fun and leave work aside for a while.
- Translation: Familiarity breeds contempt.
- Translation: Good things happen to those who know how to wait.
- Translation: the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
- Translation; don’t count on the chickens before they come out of the egg.
- Translation: The early bird catches the worm.
- Translation: no man is an island.
- Translation: The pen is more virtuous than the sword.
- Translation: If you build, they’ll come.
- Translation: There are more fish in the sea
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32. Once in a blue moon
It is said when something happens on very rare occasions and at unexpected moments.
33. All griefs with bread are less
There’s no bigger problem than not having enough to eat, or being able to feed yourself. In other words, all problems have solutions.
34. Caught between two stools
It expresses being indecisive and not knowing what to do. You have to make a decision but you don’t make it clear.
35. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
We only live once , so you have to enjoy this life and have fun.
36. Familiarity breeds contempt
In some cases, over time, spending many moments with one person can make us bored and upset by their presence.
37. Good things happen to those who wait
Patience has its reward.
38. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
A powerful image that highlights that even large organizations can be so vulnerable as to be incapacitated.
39. Don’t count for chickens before they hatch
It is better to keep your feet on the ground and not take a very optimistic future for granted.
40. The early bird catches the worm
Preparing in advance can give you a competitive advantage.
41. A picture is worth a thousand words
Translation: A picture is worth a thousand words.
There are sensations that explain more than textual information.
42. No man is an island
We do not live in isolation , but we are part of a social system.
43. The pen is mightier than the sword
The power of ideas is greater than the power of concrete violence.
44. If you build they will come
To be lucky you have to work to make that happen first.
45. T’here’s always more fish in the sea
A specially used proverb regarding finding a partner .