Proverbs

Question 1

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Answer 1

If you spend time away from someone you love, you will love them even more. In other words, you realize how much you love something when you are spend time away from it.

Question 2

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Answer 2

You should not depend on just one thing for success. Instead, you should diversify your risks. For example, don’t invest all your money in one thing because you might lose everything if it fails.

Question 3

There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Answer 3

There is more than one way to solve a problem. In other words, if one solution doesn’t work, try to find another way to solve the problem.

Question 4

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

Answer 4

You can tell somebody what the best thing to do is, but you can’t make them do it. In other words, even if you give somebody good advice, they might not follow it.

Question 5

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Answer 5

People become tougher and wiser by facing hardships. For example, if someone cheats you out of money, the experience will make you wiser so that you

Question 6

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Answer 6

If you really need to do something you will find a way. In other words, people can be very creative when they have to be.

Question 7

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Answer 7

Children grow up to be similar to their parents. For example, if the parents are bad then the child will be bad as well.

Question 8

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Answer 8

Don’t rely on something that hasn’t happened yet. For example, you shouldn’t spend money that you haven’t earned yet.

Question 9

That’s the pot calling the kettle black.

Answer 9

You shouldn’t criticize other people’s faults if you have those same faults. For example, if you are lazy you shouldn’t complain when other people are lazy.

Question 10

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Answer 10

There is a positive side to every bad situation. In other words, bad things also produce some good.

Question 11

When it rains, it pours.

Answer 11

When bad* things happen, they happen all at once. In other words, if you have some bad luck, more bad luck will follow shortly.
(*It is also sometimes used for good things as well.)

Question 12

A leopard cannot change its spots.

Answer 12

People cannot change their personality or nature. For example, if someone is bad then they will always be bad (so don’t believe people who say they’ve changed).

Question 13

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

Answer 13

Outward appearances can be deceiving. In other words, you should look at something closely before deciding if it is good or bad.

Question 14

Look before you leap.

Answer 14

You should carefully plan things before you do anything. In other words, don’t be hasty because If you act rashly, you might get hurt.

Question 15

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Answer 15

If too many people are managing something, it will fail. In other words, it’s better to have one person directing a project than many people.

Question 16

How many stars does the American flag have?

Answer 16

50 stars

Question 17

You Can’t Make an Omelet Without Breaking a Few Eggs.

Answer 17

It’s completely impossible to make an omelet if you don’t break the eggs first. Breaking the eggs is the first step to your end goal of eating a delicious breakfast.

This American proverb simply states that if you don’t take the first step, it’s impossible to complete your goal. It also is usually used to mean that sometimes, negative or difficult things need to happen before you can achieve something important.

Question 18

Never Trouble Trouble ’til Trouble Troubles You.

Answer 18

This proverbs means that you shouldn’t make things more difficult for yourself than they need to be.

If you’re a beginner English learner, you’ll only be creating more trouble for yourself if you try and use resources that are meant for advanced learners.

You’ve probably noticed that the word “trouble” is repeated four times in this proverb.

In English, a lot of words can be used as different parts of speech.

Trouble is a verb in the first and fourth usages of the word, while it’s a noun in the second and third usage in this proverb.

Question 19

Paddle Your Own Canoe.

Answer 19

To paddle your own canoe means that you’re independent and don’t need anyone else’s help.

Question 20

Bitter Pills May Have Blessed Effects.

Answer 20

The meaning behind this American proverb is that the remedy or solution to a problem might not be pleasant, but the end result can be wonderful.

For example, studying English for several hours every day might not always be enjoyable—unless, of course, you’re learning English with teacher SAM!—but all that “bitter” effort will be rewarded when you’re able to communicate in English with confidence.

Question 21

It’s Darkest Before the Dawn.

Answer 21

This encouraging proverb suggests that a situation tends to feel the worst right before it gets better. This philosophical proverb is a good reminder that darkness is always followed by light.

At some point during your language learning journey, you’ll likely encounter a phase, hopefully, a very short one, where you feel like you’ve hit a wall, you’re frustrated, you don’t feel like your progressing or you feel like you just want to give up.

This is the darkest moment!

But, if you stick with it and keep practicing and putting in the effort, the dawn will eventually come!

Question 22

People Who Live in Glass Houses Shouldn’t Throw Stones.

Answer 22

People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones reminds us that we shouldn’t criticize others for things that we ourselves do. This proverb advises against being a hypocrite.

For example, this proverb would apply to a classmate who’s being mean to someone because they didn’t know what a certain word meant in English, even though this classmate often makes a lot of mistakes in English.

Question 23

There Are Plenty More Fish in the Sea.

Answer 23

This proverb is mainly used to offer condolences (sympathy) to someone who has just broken up with their significant other. This proverb suggests that the heartbroken person shouldn’t worry too much because there are plenty of other potential partners out there.

This proverb might be incorporated into a conversation like this:

Your friend: Shelly just broke up with me. I’m going to be alone forever!

You: I’m so sorry she broke up with you. But, you shouldn’t worry too much. There are plenty more fish in the sea.

Question 24

Take It with a Grain of Salt.

Answer 24

To take it with a grain of salt means that you shouldn’t take something someone says or does too seriously.

This proverb can be used when someone is telling you something that probably isn’t entirely true. In this case, you’d take what they say with a grain of salt.

We all know someone who always exaggerates or doesn’t tell the entire truth. These are the types of people that we usually take what they say with a grain of salt. These are also the types of people that we tell others to take with a grain of salt.

Question 25

From Little Acorns Mighty Oaks Do Grow.

Answer 25

This American proverb reminds us that great people and accomplishments often come from modest (simple) beginnings. This proverb can certainly be applied to your English language learning journey!

You might have started with little to no understanding of the English language, but from these humble beginnings, you have grown into a strong English speaker!

Like a tree that needs sunlight and water to grow, in order to grow as an English learner, you’ll need to support your growth with regular studying and practicing.

Question 26

Give someone an inch, he/she will take a mile.

Answer 26

f you give someone a little of something, he/she will try to take a lot more

Question 27

Let bygones be bygones

Answer 27

Let’s forget what happened in the past.

Question 28

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Answer 28

Someone who helps you when you are in an emergency (you are in need) is your true friend.

Example: When I had to move to my new apartment, John was the only one who asked to help me move. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Question 29

All that glitters is not gold.

Answer 29

Things that look valuable or attractive from the outside might not truly be valuable.

Example: The hotel looked amazing from the outside, but when we went inside, it was quite dirty. All that glitters is not gold.

Question 30

Beggars can’t be choosers.

Answer 30

People who are in need should not be picky (they should accept whatever they can get).

Example: Although he man didn’t like bananas, he gladly accepted it because he hadn’t eaten in days. Beggars can’t be choosers.

Question 31

Bad news travels fast.

Answer 31

Gossip and bad news spread quicker than good news.

Example: By 3 p.m, everyone had learnt that Barry had been fired. Bad news travels fast.

Question 32

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 32

Beauty is subjective (it depends on your opinion)

Example: I thought the painting was ugly, but Francine loved it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Question 33

Better late than never.

Answer 33

Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.

Example: I sent my mom a birthday card even though I knew it wouldn’t arrive on time. Better late than never.

Question 34

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Answer 34

People who are bigger or more powerful lose have so much more to lose if they fail.

Example: The movie star thought he had everything in life; however, after the scandal, he found that he didn’t have people who loved him or any hope for the future. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Question 35

Birds of a feather flock together.

Answer 35

People who are similar tend to spend time together.

Example: Jody and all of her friends are really attractive. Birds of a feather flock together.