1000 Proverbs in English for Students with Meanings! A proverb is a saying that holds true and has been used for many years. These sayings are usually known by many people, and they are passed down from generation to generation. Proverbs are often short and easy to remember. They usually contain some moral advice or guidance. Many proverbs are about taking care of yourself or others, being truthful, and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Here are 10 well-known proverbs in English with purposes:
1000 Proverbs in English for Students with Meanings
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
Meaning: it is better to do something than just talk about it.
- “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
Meaning: you should not put all your resources into one thing because if it fails, you will have nothing else.
- “Mother knows best.”
Meaning: mothers usually have a lot of experience and wisdom, so it is wise to listen to them.
- “There’s no place like home.”
Meaning: there is no place as comforting as home.
- “A stitch in time saves nine.”
Meaning: it is better to fix a small problem before it becomes a big problem.
- “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Meaning: eating healthy food can help prevent illness.
- “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
Meaning: too many people working on something can make it worse instead of better.
- “No man is an island.”
Meaning: we are all connected to each other and dependent on each other in some way.
- “Two heads are better than one.”
Meaning: two people working together can often achieve more than one person working alone.
- “A watched pot never boils.”
Meaning: it seems like time goes more slowly when you are waiting for something to happen.
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Meaning: you can save money by not spending it.
- “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Meaning: you should not try to improve something that is already working well.
- “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Meaning: being away from someone can make you miss them more.
- “There’s no time like the present.”
Meaning: now is the best time to do something.
- “A leopard cannot change its spots.”
Meaning: people cannot change their bad habits or behaviours.
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Meaning: you should not judge something based on its appearance.
- “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Meaning: what one person finds beautiful, another person may not.
- “All that glitters is not gold.”
Meaning: just because something looks valuable does not mean it is.
- “Don’t put the cart before the horse.”
Meaning: you should not do things in the wrong order.
- “All’s well that ends well.”
Meaning: as long as the result is good, everything that happened along the way is forgotten.
- “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.”
Meaning: it seems like whenever something goes wrong, something else does too.
- “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
Meaning: you cannot have both things that you want; you have to choose one or the other.
- “That’ll be the day!”
Meaning: I will never believe that!
- “I’ll sleep on it.”
Meaning: I will decide later; I need time to think about it.
- “I’m all ears.”
Meaning: I am listening; please tell me more.
- “I’m at my wit’s end.”
Meaning: I am very frustrated; I do not know what to do.
- “I’ve had it up to here!”
Meaning: I am very angry; I have had enough.
- “Speak of the devil!”
Meaning: the person we were just talking about has arrived.
- “I’ll be damned!”
Meaning: I am surprised; I did not expect that.
- “That takes the cake!”
Meaning: that is the worst thing yet; that is unbelievable.
- “I’m all wet.”
Meaning: I am wrong; I was wrong about that.
- “I’m in hot water.”
Meaning: I am in trouble; I am in a difficult situation.
- “I need a shot in the arm.”
Meaning: I need some help; I need to be motivated.
- “it’s raining cats and dogs.”
Meaning: it is raining very hard.
- “it’s not brain surgery.”
Meaning: it is not difficult; anyone can do it.
- “I’m pulling your leg.”
Meaning: I am joking with you; I am teasing you.
- “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Meaning: it is difficult to change someone’s habits or behaviours.
- “I’m all ears.”
Meaning: I am listening; please tell me more.
- “I’m at my wit’s end.”
Meaning: I am very frustrated; I do not know what to do.
- “I’ve had it up to here!”
Meaning: I am very angry; I have had enough.
- “Speak of the devil!”
Meaning: the person we were just talking about has arrived.
- “I’ll be damned!”
Meaning: I am surprised; I did not expect that.
- “That takes the cake!”
Meaning: that is the worst thing yet; that is unbelievable.
- “I’m all wet.”
Meaning: I am wrong; I was wrong about that.
- “I’m in hot water.”
Meaning: I am in trouble; I am in a difficult situation.
- “I need a shot in the arm.”
Meaning: I need some help; I need to be motivated.
- “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Meaning: it is raining very hard.
- “It’s not brain surgery.”
Meaning: it is not difficult; anyone can do it.
- “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Meaning: it is difficult to change someone’s habits or behaviours.
- “That’ll be the day!”
Meaning: I will never believe that!
