30 English proverbs that are useful in different situations

Forming / by admin / December 19, 2019

click fraud protection

1. The squeaky wheel gets the grease

Transfer: lubricate the wheel that squeaks.
Value: you do not get help, if you silently endure the inconvenience, the services need to be asked.
Analogue of the Russian language: a rolling stone gathers no moss.

This is an American proverb. The authorship is attributed to humorist Josh Billings, but it is not confirmed by facts. You can only talk about the time of sentence - the second half of the XIX century.

2. Actions speak louder than words

Transfer: actions speak louder than words.
Value: what you do is more important than what you say.
Analogue of the Russian language: judged not by words but by deeds.

It is believed that this phrase appeared in the XVII century. In its present form it was first used by Abraham Lincoln in 1856.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words

Transfer: a picture is worth a thousand words.
Value: believe in something easier to see if it is your own eyes, and not to settle for someone else's stories.
Analogue of the Russian language: It is better to see once than hear a hundred times.

instagram viewer

Saying began to actively use in America in the 1920s. A first mention recorded in written sources, refers to 1911, when this phrase sounded editor of a newspaper advertising at Syracuse men's club.

4. A watched pot never boils

Transfer: if you constantly look at the kettle, he never boils.
Value: If a process takes time, whether it is finished no need to constantly check, just wait.

The phrase entered into the everyday life of Benjamin Franklin. He uses it in a report published in 1785, with reference to Poor Richard. It is noteworthy that under the pseudonym Franklin wrote himself.

5. A bad workman blames his tools

Transfer: bad worker blames the failures of his instrument.
Value: people, bad something who knows how, looking for reasons for their failures anywhere, not only in itself.
Analogue of the Russian language: bad dancer legs in the way.

Most likely, the saying came into English from the French: the first mention of the phrase in the sources from France found in the XIII century, in English - only in the XVII century.

6. A bird may be known by its song

Transfer: bird can learn from the way she sings.
Value: a lot about a person can be understood from the fact that he says and does.
Analogue of the Russian language: bird seen on the flight.

On the origin of the proverb, little is known, we can only say that it has a longer version, which does not leave any options for interpretation: «A bird is known by its song, a man by his words» ( «The bird can learn from the way she sings, man - by what he He speaks").

7. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink it

Transfer: you can lead a horse to water but can not make it drink.
Value: not all can be achieved by force, others will still do what they want.

This is one of the oldest English proverbs, which is still used today. The first mention dates back to 1175 year.

8. When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Transfer: if you are in Rome, do as the Romans.
Value: getting into a new place or situation, look, the behavior of the majority, and likewise.
Analogue of the Russian language: in a strange monastery with its charter, not walk.

The expression was first mentioned in a letter to a Christian saint Augustine Aurelius in 390. He wrote something like this: "When I was in Rome, I fast on Saturday, but in Milan I do not. Always follow the customs of the church, which is visited, you do not want a scandal. "

9. There is no time like the present

Transfer: there is no time better than the present.
Value: it is not necessary to wait for the right moment, do what you need right now.
Analogues in Russian language: do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today; do not wait for the sea weather.

For the first time this proverb was recorded in 1562. Later, one of the compilers of the collection of sayings John Trusler launched this expression to the «No time like the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may interrupt you at a future time », which means" There is no time better than the present, a thousand unforeseen circumstances may prevent you from in the future. " But I caught a concise version.

10. There is no such thing as a free lunch

Transfer: there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Value: to pay for everything, and if you are not given the money later, you may have to say goodbye to something more valuable.
Analogue of the Russian language: free cheese is only in a mousetrap.

In the middle of the XIX century in the United Kingdom and the United States under the announcement of free lunches disguised advertising, which included other expenses. For example, in one of the saloons in Milwaukee to feed the "free" promised those who buy a cigar or drink. Of course, in serving costs were included in cost of alcohol or cigars. Because of these advertisements, some institutions are held accountable for unfair advertising.

11. The pen is mightier than the sword

Transfer: pen is mightier than the sword.
Value: right words convincing physical force; words can hurt hurt.
Analogue of the Russian language: do not be afraid of the knife - language.

This is an exact quote from a play by Edward Bulwer-Lytton "Richelieu, or Conspiracy," written in 1839. However, in other formulations, this idea sounded before George Whetstone and William Shakespeare.

12. Practice makes perfect

Transfer: Practice makes perfect.
Value: The more you train, the better the work.
Analogue of the Russian language: repetition - the mother of learning.

The first mention proverbs belong to the middle of the XVI century. It has been translated into English from Latin.

13. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones

Transfer: People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Value: it is not necessary to condemn and criticize, if he is not perfect.
Analogue of the Russian language: in his eye does not see the log, he notices the speck in someone else's.

The expression in this formulation is found in the poem Geoffrey Chaucer's "Troilus and Cressida", written at the end of the XIV century. The phrase has taken root and is often used until now.

14. God helps those who help themselves

Transfer: God helps those who help themselves.
Value: in a difficult situation, we do not hope for a miracle, we must act to change everything.
Analogue of the Russian language: God helps those who help themselves.

Proverb was used in ancient Greece. Sometimes its source is erroneously called the Bible, even though it is literally a phrase not found. In contrast, many Christians criticize this expression, as contrary to the dogma.

15. Do not put too many irons in the fire

Transfer: do not put too much coal on the fire.
Value: do not take on too much, focus on something one.

The expression comes from blacksmith shops. It is connected with the work of apprentices, whose task was to rearrange the product from the blacksmith tongs from the fire on the anvil. And if the furnace proves too much forceps, it does the job ineffective, because the blacksmith could not work on multiple objects simultaneously.

16. Birds of a feather flock together

Transfer: birds gather into a flock of feathers.
Value: people with common interests come together easily.
Analogue of the Russian language: birds of a feather flock together.

The proverb is used from the middle of the XVI century. In the literature first mentioned by William Turner in The Rescuing of Romish Fox.

17. Beggars can not be choosers

Transfer: beggars can not choose.
Value: in a difficult situation, do not give up any help.
Analogue of the Russian language: they do not look at a given horse's teeth.

This phrase first recorded the poet and dramatist John Heywood in the XVI century. It was addressed to the poor and called to thank you for any help and support.

18. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Transfer: pinch "to" pounds worth "after."
Value: prevent easier, than to deal with the consequences.
Analogue of the Russian language: road spoon for dinner.

In 1736, Benjamin Franklin in a meeting with firefighters in Philadelphia said that phrase, warning of the need to defend themselves against natural disasters.

19. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Transfer: An apple a day, doctor away.
Value: literally.

Expression of a widespread following the publication of the Welsh in the journal "Notes and Queries" in 1866 proverbs from Pembrokeshire: "Eat an apple before going to bed, and you do not have to pay for what will be a doctor."

20. A leopard can not change its spots

Transfer: a leopard can not change its spots.
Value: people do not change.
Analogue of the Russian language: leopard change his spots.

The expression is borrowed from the Bible. As Jeremiah says, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard - spots? And you can do good who are accustomed to do evil? "

21. You can not teach an old dog new tricks

Transfer: an old dog new tricks not teach.
Value: it is difficult to wean someone from old habits.
Analogue of the Russian language: leopard change his spots.

One of the oldest sayings in the English language in written sources was first mentioned in the XVI century.

22. Do not keep a dog and bark yourself

Transfer: you should not keep a dog and bark yourself at the same time.
Value: You do not need to pay someone for the work you still have to do everything myself.

The expression was first mentioned in a work by Brian Milbank Philotimus: the Warre Betwixt Nature and Fortune in 1583. It sounds from the mouth of the philosopher and physician Filotima, who lived in the IV century in Greece.

23. Discretion is the better part of valour

Transfer: prudence - the better part of valor.
Value: before you do something, you should consider carefully whether it is worth it.
Analogue of the Russian language: Seven times measure cut once.

The phrase «The better part of valour is discretion» says Sir John Falstaff in the first part of the play by William Shakespeare's "Henry IV».

24. Children should be seen and not heard

Transfer: children should be seen and not heard.
Value: literally.

This rule education was adopted in England the time of Queen Victoria's reign. However, the first mention of it relate to 1450.

25. Charity begins at home

Transfer: charity begins at home.
Value: before you take care of others, you need to take care of yourself and your family.

Sometimes the source of the phrase mistakenly called the Bible. In fact, the first expression in this formulation is found in the theologian John Wycliffe in the late XIV century. Although in the first Epistle of Paul to Timothy, provides very similar idea: "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let those learn to express their devotion especially in relation to their home, and give due care to parents and grandfathers. "

26. Curiosity killed the cat

Transfer: curiosity killed the cat.
Value: you should not stick your nose in other people's affairs.
Analogue of the Russian language: curious Varvara's nose torn off in the market.

Initially, the expression sounds so: «Care killed the cat». And care meant not care, and sorrow or sadness. In this version of the proverb existed until the end of the XIX century, and only then acquired a modern look. However, curiosity is never encouraged, so this transformation is logical.

27. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Transfer: better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Value: instead of blaming the circumstances, it is necessary to do something to change them.

The phrase is attributed to John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and even the Chinese people, but the first time it sounds in the collection of sermons of William Watkinson, published in 1907.

28. A nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse

Transfer: nod to a blind horse - the same thing that she was winking.
Value: a man who is not ready to receive the information, it did not deliver.
Analogue of the Russian language: fool in his forehead, that on his forehead.

The phrase appeared in England in the XVI century. Now instead of a horse in the saying might be a bat: «A nod is as good as a wink to a blind bat». As such, the expression was used in the British sketch show "Monty Python's Flying Circus."

29. Great minds think alike

Transfer: great minds think alike.
Value: people with similar mental faculties can think of at the same time to the same.
Analogue of the Russian language: Fools have thought converge.

This wording phrase was first recorded in 1816 in the English-language biography of Evdokia Lopukhina, the first wife of Peter I. However, this idea met before.

30. A golden key can open any door

Transfer: golden key can open any door.
Value: money can buy anything.

This saying is to be as old as money itself. But recorded it for the first time in 1580, the English playwright John Lilly.