50 Common Proverbs in English
This is a list of popular English proverbs. Proverbs are also known as sayings. Proverbs give some form of life advice.
Every language and culture has them, and many proverbs exist in more than one language. It is important not to miss
any of the words in most proverbs because the meaning can be lost if even one word is changed or left out. This list of
English proverbs includes definitions and examples, and is meant to improve English vocabulary and English cultural
knowledge.
P ROVERB Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Being away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appre-
MEANING
1 ciate that person or thing more when you see them or it again
“I used to hate going to my aunt’s house, but now I kind of miss it. Absence
E XAMPLE
makes the heart grow fonder.”
P ROVERB Actions speak louder than words.
MEANING What you do is more important than what you say
2
“Don’t just tell me you’re going to change. Do it! Actions speak louder than
E XAMPLE
words.”
P ROVERB A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
You must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long
MEANING
time to finish begins with one step
3
“If you want to lose weight, you need to stop eating junk, and you need to start
E XAMPLE exercising. Today. Not tomorrow. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a
single step.”
P ROVERB All good things must come to an end
MEANING Everything ends; good times don’t last forever
4
“I wish this vacation would go on forever. It’s too bad that all good things must
E XAMPLE
come to an end.”
1 • 50 Common Proverbs in English more free resources, lessons, and quizzes at
www.engVid.com
by Alex
© LearnVid Education, 2015
, P ROVERB A picture is worth a thousand words
MEANING An image can tell a story better than words
5
“I wasn’t sure that he loved her, but then I saw them hugging at the airport. A
E XAMPLE
picture is worth a thousand words.”
P ROVERB A watched pot never boils
If something takes time to do, it doesn’t help to constantly check on it. You just
MEANING
have to give it time.
6
“I know you think he’s going to be a great guitar player one day, but stop criti-
E XAMPLE cizing him so much. He just started taking lessons two weeks ago! A watched
pot never boils.”
P ROVERB Beggars can’t be choosers
If you’re in a bad situation and someone offers to help you, you have to take
MEANING
7 whatever they give you and shouldn’t ask for more
“I was unemployed, and they offered me a job cleaning prison toilets. I didn’t
E XAMPLE
like the job, but I accepted it. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
P ROVERB Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
MEANING What is “beautiful” is different for each person
8
“I think their house is ugly, but they seem to like it. Beauty is in the eye of the
E XAMPLE
beholder.”
P ROVERB Better late than never
9 MEANING It’s better to finish something late than to never do it at all
E XAMPLE “Hello, Mr. Jameson. Here is my final essay. Better late than never, right?”
2 • 50 Common Proverbs in English more free resources, lessons, and quizzes at
www.engVid.com
by Alex
© LearnVid Education, 2015
This is a list of popular English proverbs. Proverbs are also known as sayings. Proverbs give some form of life advice.
Every language and culture has them, and many proverbs exist in more than one language. It is important not to miss
any of the words in most proverbs because the meaning can be lost if even one word is changed or left out. This list of
English proverbs includes definitions and examples, and is meant to improve English vocabulary and English cultural
knowledge.
P ROVERB Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Being away from someone or something for a period of time makes you appre-
MEANING
1 ciate that person or thing more when you see them or it again
“I used to hate going to my aunt’s house, but now I kind of miss it. Absence
E XAMPLE
makes the heart grow fonder.”
P ROVERB Actions speak louder than words.
MEANING What you do is more important than what you say
2
“Don’t just tell me you’re going to change. Do it! Actions speak louder than
E XAMPLE
words.”
P ROVERB A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
You must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long
MEANING
time to finish begins with one step
3
“If you want to lose weight, you need to stop eating junk, and you need to start
E XAMPLE exercising. Today. Not tomorrow. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a
single step.”
P ROVERB All good things must come to an end
MEANING Everything ends; good times don’t last forever
4
“I wish this vacation would go on forever. It’s too bad that all good things must
E XAMPLE
come to an end.”
1 • 50 Common Proverbs in English more free resources, lessons, and quizzes at
www.engVid.com
by Alex
© LearnVid Education, 2015
, P ROVERB A picture is worth a thousand words
MEANING An image can tell a story better than words
5
“I wasn’t sure that he loved her, but then I saw them hugging at the airport. A
E XAMPLE
picture is worth a thousand words.”
P ROVERB A watched pot never boils
If something takes time to do, it doesn’t help to constantly check on it. You just
MEANING
have to give it time.
6
“I know you think he’s going to be a great guitar player one day, but stop criti-
E XAMPLE cizing him so much. He just started taking lessons two weeks ago! A watched
pot never boils.”
P ROVERB Beggars can’t be choosers
If you’re in a bad situation and someone offers to help you, you have to take
MEANING
7 whatever they give you and shouldn’t ask for more
“I was unemployed, and they offered me a job cleaning prison toilets. I didn’t
E XAMPLE
like the job, but I accepted it. Beggars can’t be choosers.”
P ROVERB Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
MEANING What is “beautiful” is different for each person
8
“I think their house is ugly, but they seem to like it. Beauty is in the eye of the
E XAMPLE
beholder.”
P ROVERB Better late than never
9 MEANING It’s better to finish something late than to never do it at all
E XAMPLE “Hello, Mr. Jameson. Here is my final essay. Better late than never, right?”
2 • 50 Common Proverbs in English more free resources, lessons, and quizzes at
www.engVid.com
by Alex
© LearnVid Education, 2015
