|
(A) bad excuse is better
than none.
|
Always give an excuse, even if
it's a poor one.
|
|
Bad news travels fast.
|
People tend to circulate bad news
very quickly (accidents, illness, etc.).
|
|
(A) bad penny always turns
up.
|
An unwanted or disreputable person
constantly comes back.
|
|
(A) bad tree does not yield good
apples.
|
A bad parent does not raise good
children.
|
|
(A) bad workman blames his tools.
|
Blaming tools for bad workmanship
is an excuse for lack of skill.
|
|
(A) barking dog seldom
bites.
|
Someone who constantly makes
threats rarely carries them out.
|
|
Be just before you are generous.
|
Make sure all your debts are paid
before you start offering help to others.
|
|
Beauty is only skin deep.
|
A person's character is more
important than their appearance.
|
|
Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder.
|
Different people have different
tastes.
|
|
Beauty is the wisdom of women.
Wisdom is the beauty of men.
|
No comment!
|
|
Be swift to hear, slow to speak.
|
Listen carefully before speaking.
|
|
(The) best advice is found on the
pillow.
|
A good night's sleep may help us
find an answer to our problem.
|
|
(The) best helping hand is at the
end of your sleeve.
|
The best way to get something done
is to do it yourself.
|
|
(The) best things in life are
free.
|
You don't have to pay for what is
important: happiness, friendship, good health.
|
|
Better an egg today than a hen
tomorrow.
|
It is preferable to have something
sure now than the possibility of something better later.
|
|
Better be alone than in bad
company.
|
Be careful in the choice of the
people you associate with.
|
|
Better be the head of a dog than
the tail of a lion.
|
It's better to be the leader of a
small group than a subordinate in a bigger one.
|
|
Better flatter a fool than fight
him.
|
It's better to avoid disputes with
stupid people.
|
|
Better to drink the milk than to
eat the cow.
|
Be careful not to destroy the
source of your income or welfare.
|
|
Better the devil you know than the
devil you don't know.
|
It's better to deal with someone
difficult but familiar than change and risk dealing with somebody worse.
|
|
Better late than never.
|
It's better to do something, even
if it's late, than not do it at all.
|
|
Better lose the saddle than the
horse.
|
It's better to stop and accept a
small loss than continue and risk losing everything.
|
|
Better safe than sorry.
|
It's better to be too careful than
to be careless and regret it later.
|
|
Better be untaught than
ill-taught.
|
It's better not to be taught at
all than to be taught badly.
|
|
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
|
Don't trust your enemies.
|
|
(A) bird in hand is worth two in a
bush.
|
It's better to keep what you have
than to risk losing it by searching for something else.
|
|
Birds of a feather flock together.
|
People of the same sort are
usually found together.
|
|
(A) black plum is as sweet as a
white.
|
People should not be judged by
their appearance.
|
|
Blood is thicker than water.
|
Family relationships are stronger
than relationships with other people.
|
|
Blood will out.
|
A person's background or education
will eventually show.
|
|
(A) book holds a house of gold.
|
There is a wealth of knowledge in
books.
|
|
(A) broken friendship may be
soldered but it will never be sound.
|
Friendships can be rebuilt after a
dispute but will never be as strong as before.
|
|
(A) burden of one's own
choice is not felt.
|
Something difficult seems easier
when it is done voluntarily.
|
|
(A) burnt child dreads the fire.
|
A bad experience will make people
stay away from certain things.
|
|
(A) calm sea does not make a
skilled
sailor.
|
A person shows their competence or
ability when difficulties arise.
|
|
(A) cat has nine lives.
|
1) Cats can survive many accidents
because
they land on their feet without injury.
2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to
stray, 3 years to stay.
|
|
(A) chain is no stronger than
its weakest link.
|
The strength of a group depends on
each individual member.
|
|
(A) change is as good as a rest.
|
A change in routine is often as
refreshing as a break or a holiday.
|
|
Charity begins at home.
|
A person's first duty is to help
and care for his own family.
|
|
Children and fools tell the truth.
|
Neither children nor fools know
that it is sometimes advantageous to lie.
|
|
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
|
A clean body is just as important
as a pure soul.
|
|
Clear moon, frost soon.
|
If the atmosphere is clear, frost
may form.
|
|
(A) closed mouth catches no flies.
|
If you learn when to keep silent
you will avoid trouble.
|
|
Clothes don't make the man.
|
Appearances can be deceiving.
|
|
(A) constant guest is never
welcome.
|
If you come to visit too often,
your host will be less pleased to see you.
|
|
Constant occupation prevents
temptation.
|
When you are busy working, you
avoid temptation. D
|
|
|
|
(A) danger foreseen is half
avoided.
|
If you are prepared to face a
problem or difficulty, it will be easier to deal with.
|
|
(The) darkest hour is just before
dawn.
|
The most difficult moment is just
before a problem is solved.
|
|
(A) day of sorrow is longer than a
month of joy.
|
Times goes by very quickly when
you are happy
and very slowly when you are sad.
|
|
Dead men tell no lies.
|
A dead person cannot cause
difficulties by revealing something that it would be preferable to conceal.
|
|
Death is the great leveller.
|
All people are equal when they
die.
|
|
(The) devil looks after his own.
|
Success comes to those who deserve
it least.
|
|
(The) devil makes work for idle
hands.
|
People who have no work, or are
idle, often get into trouble.
|
|
Diamonds cut diamonds.
|
Refers to two people equally
matched in wit or cunning.
|
|
(The) die is cast.
|
A decision has been made and it is
impossible to change it.
|
|
Diligence is the mother of good
fortune.
|
Hard work brings rewards.
|
|
Discretion is the better part of
valour.
|
It is useless to take unnecessary
risks.
|
|
Diseases of the soul are more
dangerous
than those of the body.
|
Thought to refer to mental and
emotional disorder or spiritual torment as opposed to bodily pain.
|
|
Distance makes the heart grow
fonder.
|
When you are separated from the
person you love, your feelings are even stronger.
|
|
Dogs of the same street bark
alike.
|
People of the same background have
the same behaviour.
|
|
Don't bark if you can't bite.
|
Don't complain if you can't
enforce your point of view.
|
|
Don't count your chickens before
they're hatched.
|
You must not be too confident that
something will be successful.
|
|
Don't dig your grave with our own
knife and fork.
|
Don't do something yourself that
causes your own downfall.
|
|
Don't judge a book by its cover.
|
Don't judge by appearances.
|
|
(A) drop of ink may make a million
think.
|
A thought expressed in writing
(perhaps published in a newspaper) can influence a large number of people.
|
|
(A) dry March, a wet April and a
cool May
may fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.
|
Harvest predictions according to
the weather.
|
|
Early to bed, and early to rise,
makes
a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
|
It is much better for you to go to
bed early and to get up early in the morning;
|
|
(The) early bird catches the worm.
|
Act early, or before anyone else,
if you want to have an advantage or be successful.
|
|
Easier said than done.
|
What is suggested sounds easy, but
it is more difficult to actually do it.
|
|
Elbow grease is the best polish.
|
Hard work gives the best results.
|
|
Empty vessels make the most noise.
|
The least intelligent people are
often the most talkative or noisy.
|
|
(An) empty purse frightens away
friends.
|
When one's financial situation
deteriorates, friends tend to disappear.
|
|
(The) end justifies the means.
|
Wrong or unfair methods may be
used if the result of the action is good.
|
|
(An) Englishman's home is
his castle.
|
An Englishman's home is a place
where he feels safe, enjoys privacy and can do as he wishes.
|
|
Every ass likes to hear himself
bray.
|
People like to listen to
themselves talking.
|
|
Every cloud has a silver lining.
|
There is a positive or hopeful
side to every situation.
|
|
Every man for himself.
|
You must think of your own
interests before the interests of others.
|
|
Every man has his price.
|
Everyone's loyalty can be bought
for a price.
|
|
Every man is the architect of his
own fortune.
|
Life is what you make it.
|
|
Every path has its puddle.
|
Progress is rarely without
difficulty.
|
|
Every rose has its thorn.
|
Every good thing has an unpleasant
side.
|
|
Every why has a wherefore.
|
There is an explanation for
everything.
|
|
Everything in the garden is rosy.
|
Everything is satisfactory.
|
|
Experience is the father of
wisdom.
|
Experience and knowledge result in
better judgement.
|
|
Facts speak louder than words
|
People show what they are really
like by what they do, rather than by what they say.
|
|
Failure teaches success.
|
People can learn from their
failures and be successful later on.
|
|
Fair exchange is no robbery
|
Swapping two items of equal value
is an honest deal.
|
|
False friends are worse than open
enemies.
|
It's better to know who your real
enemies are rather than trust someone who pretends to be a friend but is
capable of stabbing you in the back.
|
|
Familiarity breeds contempt
|
Knowing someone very well can lead
to a lack of respect for them.
|
|
(A) fault confessed is half
redressed.
|
Confession is the beginning of
forgiveness.
|
|
Fine words butter no parsnips
|
No amount of talking can replace
action.
|
|
First come, first served.
|
The first person in the line will
be attended to first.
|
|
(The) first step is the hardest.
|
The most difficult part of an
action is the beginning.
|
|
(A) flower blooms more than once.
|
If you miss an occasion, you can
avail yourself of it another time.
|
|
(A) fly will not get into a closed
mouth.
|
If you learn when to keep silent
you will avoid trouble.
|
|
(A) fool and his money are (soon)
easily parted.
|
A foolish person usually spends
money carelessly.
|
|
(A) fool at forty is a fool
forever.
|
If a person hasn't matured by the
age of 40, they never will.
|
|
Fool me once, shame on you; fool
me twice, shame on me.
|
One should learn from one's
mistakes.
|
|
Fools rush in where angels fear to
tread.
|
Inexperienced people become
involved in situations that more intelligent people would avoid.
|
|
(A) friend in need is a friend
indeed.
|
Someone who helps you when you are
in trouble is a real friend.
|
|
(A) friend to all is a friend to
none.
|
Someone who is a friend to
everyone makes none of them feel special.
|
|
(A) friend's eye is a good mirror.
|
A real friend will tell you the
truth.
|
|
Friendship is like money, easier
made than kept.
|
Effort is necessary to keep a
friendship alive.
|
|
Friendship is love with
understanding.
|
A friend is more tolerant than a
lover/partner/spouse?
|
|
Gardens are not made by sitting in
the shade.
|
Nothing is achieved without
effort.
|
|
Give someone an inch and they will
take a mile (or yard)
|
Give someone a little and they
will want more - some people are never satisfied.
|
|
Give someone enough rope and they
will hang themselves.
|
Give someone enough time and
freedom and they will get into trouble.
|
|
God helps those who help
themselves.
|
Success comes to those who make a
real effort to achieve it.
|
|
Good accounting makes good
friends.
|
You will keep your friends if you
avoid disputes over money.
|
|
Good and quickly seldom meet.
|
A well-done job takes time.
|
|
(A) good beginning makes a good
end.
|
If a task is carefully planned,
there's a better chance that it will be well done.
|
|
(A) good conscience is a soft
pillow.
|
You sleep well when you have
nothing to feel guilty about.
|
|
(A) good mind possesses a kingdom.
|
Intellectual assets are more
valuable than material ones.
|
|
(A) good name is better than a
good face.
|
A good reputation is better than a
good appearance.
|
|
Good management is better than
good income.
|
Income can be lost if it is used
carelessly.
|
|
Grasp all, lose all.
|
Trying to obtain everything will
often result in gaining nothing.
|
|
Great minds think alike.
|
Intelligent people very often have
the same idea at the same time.
|
|
Great oaks grow from small acorns.
|
Large successful operations can
begin in a small way.
|
|
Grief divided is made lighter.
|
If you share your grief, it will
be easier to bear.
|
|
(A) growing youth has a wolf in
his belly.
|
Young boys eat a lot / are often
hungry.
|
|
(A) guilty conscience needs no
accuser.
|
If you know that you have done
something wrong, you don't need anyone to tell you that you're guilty.
|
|
Half a loaf is better than none
|
You should be grateful for
something, even if it is not as much as you wanted.
|
|
(A) handful of patience is worth
more than a bushel of brains.
|
Patience is more precious than
intelligence.
|
|
Handsome is what handsome does.
|
Behaviour is more important than
appearance.
|
|
(A) happy heart is better than a
full purse.
|
Happiness is better than wealth.
|
|
Hard words breaks no bones.
|
Criticism or verbal attacks may be
unpleasant but will not kill anyone.
|
|
Haste makes waste
|
If something is done too quickly,
it may be done carelessly and need to be redone.
|
|
Hatred is as blind as love.
|
A person who feels hatred does not
see any qualities in the person he/she hates.
|
|
(A) heavy purse gives to a light
heart.
|
When you have money you feel more
cheerful
and secure.
|
|
(A) hedge between keeps friendship
green.
|
It is important to respect the
privacy of others.
|
|
He can who believes he can.
|
If you believe you can do
something, you will be able to do it.
|
|
He has enough who is content.
|
A happy person needs nothing more.
|
|
He who hesitates is lost.
|
If you delay your decision too
long, you may miss a good opportunity.
|
|
He who is everywhere is nowhere.
|
It's not good to do too many
things at the same time.
|
|
He who know nothing doubts
nothing.
|
Knowledge leads us to make
choices.
|
|
He who pays the piper calls the
tune.
|
The person who provides the money
for something should control how it is spent.
|
|
He who plays with fire gets burnt.
|
If you behave in a risky way, you
are likely to have problems.
|
|
He who wills the end wills the
means.
|
If you are determined to do
something you will find a way.
|
|
He laughs best who laughs last.
|
Don't express your joy, or
triumph, too soon.
|
|
Health is better than wealth.
|
It's better to be in good health
than to be rich.
|
|
(The best) helping hand is at the
end of your sleeve.
|
The best way to get something done
is to do it yourself.
|
|
Home is where the heart is.
|
You call home the place where the
people you love are.
|
|
Honesty is the best policy.
|
It's always better to be honest.
|
|
Honey catches more flies than
vinegar.
|
You can obtain more cooperation
from others
by being nice.
|
|
However long the night, the dawn
will break.
|
Bad things don't last forever.
|
|
Hunger is a good sauce.
|
All food tastes good when you are
hungry.
|
|
(A) hungry belly has no ears.
|
A hungry person is totally
concentrated on their need for food and nothing else interests them.
|
|
(A) hungry wolf is fixed to no
place.
|
A desperate person will go from
place to place when they need to satisfy their needs.
|
