English proverbs are short, traditional sayings that offer advice or express a general truth. They are used by native speakers in everyday conversation, writing, and media to communicate ideas clearly and wisely. For English learners, understanding proverbs is a great way to build vocabulary, improve comprehension, and sound more natural in spoken or written English.
50 English Proverbs with Meanings and Examples
Below is a carefully selected list of 50 of the most commonly used English proverbs. Each proverb is followed by its meaning and an example sentence to help you understand and use it correctly.
1. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say.
– He promised to help, but never showed up. Actions speak louder than words.
2. The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: People who act quickly or early gain the advantage.
– She always starts her day at 6 a.m. — the early bird catches the worm.
3. Practice makes perfect
Meaning: Regular practice leads to improvement.
– Don’t worry if you make mistakes now — practice makes perfect.
4. Honesty is the best policy
Meaning: Being truthful is always the right thing to do.
– I admitted I broke the vase. Honesty is the best policy.
5. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Appearances can be misleading.
– That tiny café serves the best food. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
6. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
– He finally finished the project — better late than never.
7. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Meaning: Follow local customs when in a different place.
– I didn’t eat with chopsticks before, but when in Rome…
8. Easy come, easy go
Meaning: Something gained easily can be lost just as easily.
– I won $200 at the casino but lost it the next day — easy come, easy go.
9. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.
– He was spending money he hadn’t won — don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
10. A picture is worth a thousand words
Meaning: Images can convey complex ideas more effectively than words.
– Instead of describing the layout, show a diagram. A picture is worth a thousand words.
11. Two heads are better than one
Meaning: It’s easier to solve problems when you work with others.
– Let’s figure this out together. Two heads are better than one.
12. Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Meaning: Determination will help you succeed.
– She didn’t have money, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
13. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: Don’t harm those who help you.
– He spoke badly of his mentor — don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
14. Look before you leap
Meaning: Think carefully before taking action.
– I rushed into that decision. I should’ve looked before I leapt.
15. The grass is always greener on the other side
Meaning: People often think others have it better than they do.
– He regrets quitting his job — the grass isn’t always greener.
16. You reap what you sow
Meaning: Your actions will have consequences.
– He worked hard all year and passed — you reap what you sow.
17. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fixing a small issue early prevents bigger problems.
– I patched the hole immediately. A stitch in time saves nine.
18. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable and shouldn’t be wasted.
– Stop procrastinating — time is money.
19. What goes around comes around
Meaning: The way you treat others will come back to you.
– She was kind to everyone and got help when she needed it.
20. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: Similar people often associate with each other.
– All the gamers stay together — birds of a feather flock together.
21. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on a single plan or investment.
– I invested in different stocks — I won’t put all my eggs in one basket.
22. Silence is golden
Meaning: Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet.
– Instead of arguing, I stayed silent. Silence is golden.
23. No pain, no gain
Meaning: Hard work is necessary to achieve success.
– That workout was tough, but no pain, no gain.
24. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
Meaning: Don’t try to improve something that already works well.
– The system is fine — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
25. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: Avoid restarting old conflicts.
– Don’t bring up past arguments. Let sleeping dogs lie.
26. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Great work takes time and patience.
– Your fluency will grow — Rome wasn’t built in a day.
27. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: Being apart can strengthen feelings.
– I missed her more than I thought. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
28. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
Meaning: What one person considers worthless may be valuable to someone else.
– I bought an old record player for $5 — someone’s trash, my treasure.
29. Jack of all trades, master of none
Meaning: A person who can do many things but is not an expert in any.
– He knows a bit about everything, but he’s a jack of all trades.
30. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Meaning: What one person finds beautiful, another may not.
– Some people love modern art, others don’t — beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
31. A watched pot never boils
Meaning: Time feels longer when you’re waiting for something.
– Stop checking the oven. A watched pot never boils.
32. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too curious or nosy can get you into trouble.
– I wanted to check his private messages, but then I thought—curiosity killed the cat.
33. The pen is mightier than the sword
Meaning: Words and communication are more powerful than violence.
– His article changed minds — the pen is mightier than the sword.
34. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: There’s something good in every bad situation.
– I lost my job, but started my business — silver lining.
35. Beggars can’t be choosers
Meaning: When you need something, you can’t be picky.
– I didn’t like the food, but beggars can’t be choosers.
36. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: Don’t exaggerate small problems.
– It’s a small scratch — don’t overreact.
37. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t waste time regretting past mistakes.
– What’s done is done — move on.
38. Many hands make light work
Meaning: Tasks are easier with more people helping.
– We cleaned the house in an hour with everyone’s help.
39. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
Meaning: Help someone and they’ll help you in return.
– I did him a favor, now he owes me one.
40. Misery loves company
Meaning: Unhappy people like to be with others who are also unhappy.
– She enjoys complaining with her coworkers — misery loves company.
41. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
Meaning: Stay aware of those who could harm you.
– I invited him to the party to keep an eye on him.
42. All that glitters is not gold
Meaning: Not everything that looks valuable truly is.
– That car looks great, but it’s always breaking down.
43. Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it
Meaning: Don’t worry about future problems too early.
– Let’s deal with that issue if it happens.
44. The squeaky wheel gets the grease
Meaning: The most noticeable (or loudest) problems get attention.
– He always complains and gets his way.
45. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is limited and must be spent wisely.
– Stop wasting cash — money doesn’t grow on trees.
46. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
Meaning: One weak member can affect the whole group.
– If one player fails, the team suffers.
47. Love is blind
Meaning: People in love often overlook faults.
– She forgives him every time — love is blind.
48. There’s no smoke without fire
Meaning: Rumors often start from some truth.
– Everyone’s talking — something must be going on.
49. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
Meaning: Don’t discard something valuable along with the unwanted.
– Keep the core features — don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
50. It takes two to tango
Meaning: Both parties are responsible in a conflict or relationship.
– You can’t blame just her — it takes two to tango.
