Common Ones / Familiar Proverbs Flashcards

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1
Q

You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs

A

There’s always a cost to doing something

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2
Q

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink

A

You can’t force someone to make the right decision

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3
Q

You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar

A

You’ll get what you want by being nice

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4
Q

When it rains it pours

A

Everything is going wrong at once

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5
Q

Well begun is half done

A

Getting a good start is important

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6
Q

Weather the storm

A

Go through something difficult

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7
Q

We see eye to eye

A

We agree

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8
Q

Waste not, want not

A

Don’t waste things and you’ll always have enough

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9
Q

Time is money

A

Work quickly

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10
Q

Through thick and thin

A

In good times and in bad times

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11
Q

Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones

A

People who are morally questionable shouldn’t criticize others

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12
Q

There are clouds on the horizon

A

Trouble is coming

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13
Q

The pot calling the kettle black

A

Someone criticizing someone else he is just as bad

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14
Q

That ship has sailed

A

It’s too late

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15
Q

Snowed under

A

Busy

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16
Q

Shape up or ship out

A

Work better or leave

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17
Q

Run like the wind

A

Run fast

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18
Q

Out of the frying pan and into the fire

A

Things are going from bad to worse

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19
Q

Once bitten, twice shy

A

You’re more cautious when you’ve been hurt before

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20
Q

On cloud nine

A

Very happy

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21
Q

Make hay while the sun shines

A

Take advantage of a good situation

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22
Q

Like two peas in a pod

A

They’re always together

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23
Q

Like riding a bicycle

A

Something you never forget how to do

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24
Q

Let sleeping dogs lie

A

Stop discussing an issue

25
Q

Leave no stone unturned

A

Look everywhere

26
Q

Know which way the wind is blowing

A

Understand the situation (usually negative)

27
Q

Jump on the bandwagon

A

Follow a trend, do what everyone else is doing

28
Q

It takes two to tango

A

One person alone isn’t responsible. Both people are involved.

29
Q

It is always darkest before the dawn

A

Things are going to get better

30
Q

It is a poor workman who blames his tools

A

If you can’t do the job, don’t blame it on others

31
Q

He’s sitting on the fence

A

He can’t make up his mind

32
Q

He’s off his rocker

A

He’s crazy

33
Q

He’s not playing with a full deck

A

He’s dumb

34
Q

Hear something straight from the horse’s mouth

A

Hear something from the person involved

35
Q

He who laughs last laughs loudest

A

I’ll get you back for what you did

36
Q

Have your head in the clouds

A

Not be concentrating

37
Q

Haste makes waste

A

You’ll make mistakes if you rush through something

38
Q

Go down in flames

A

Fail spectacularly

39
Q

Get wind of something

A

Hear news of something secret

40
Q

Get a second wind

A

Have more energy after having been tired

41
Q

Fortune favours the bold

A

Take risks

42
Q

Fit as a fiddle

A

In good health

43
Q

Familiarity breeds contempt

A

The better you know someone the less you like him

44
Q

Every dog has his day

A

Everyone gets a chance at least once

45
Q

Don’t beat a dead horse

A

Move on, this subject is over

46
Q

Cut the mustard

A

Do a good job

47
Q

Curiosity killed the cat

A

Stop asking questions

48
Q

Come rain or shine

A

No matter what

49
Q

Calm before the storm

A

Something bad is coming, but right now it’s calm

50
Q

Burn bridges

A

Destroy relationships

51
Q

Bolt from the blue

A

Something that happened without warning

52
Q

As right as rain

A

Perfect

53
Q

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

A

You can prevent a problem with little effort. Fixing it later is harder.

54
Q

An apple a day keeps the doctor away

A

Apples are good for you

55
Q

A storm in a teacup

A

A big fuss about a small problem

56
Q

A stitch in time saves nine

A

Fix the problem now because it will get worse later

57
Q

A snowball’s chance in hell

A

No chance at all

58
Q

A snowball effect

A

Events have momentum and build upon each other

59
Q

A little learning is a dangerous thing

A

People who don’t understand something fully are dangerous