45 English proverbs and sayings (with translation and explanation)

In the United Kingdom and the United States they look at life in a very particular way.

In this article you can find a series of English proverbs and sayings that will make you think and reflect on life.. They are phrases that we often use and that, with just a few words, we can say a lot.

Proverbs are popular phrases that have been repeated, unchanged, for years and even centuries. Generally, they express a moral thought, an advice or a vital teaching.

45 proverbs and sayings in English

Below you can find a list of proverbs and a list of proverbs and sayings in English with their (non-literal) translation (not literal) and a brief explanation.

1. Kill two birds with one stone

• Translation: Kill two birds with one stone.

This saying is used to refer to having accomplished two things at once or to solve two problems at once by doing only one thing.

2. Eat, drink and be merry (for tomorrow we die)

• Translation: Drink and swallow, the world is going to end.

A beautiful rhyme that speaks of the fact that there is only one present moment and that we must take advantage of it. We only have one life, we must make it an unbeatable experience.

3. Absence makes the Heart grow fonder

• Translation: Absence feeds the heart.

Human beings value what we don't have around us. These words express just that meaning. That is, when we miss something, that is when we value it.

4. All that glitters is not gold

• Translation: All that glitters is not gold.

Many times we get caught up in the superficial side of things, leaving aside the true meaning or what is really going on. In addition, it is also used to recommend that we should not rely on appearances.

5. Barking dogs never bite

• Translation: Barking dog, little biter

We all know those people who lie more than they talk, and who often boastand who often boast, but then do nothing. The barking dog is the person who always tells his little stories, but bites little because he hasn't really done half of what he says.

5. A stitch in time saves nine

• Translation: Prevention is better than cure.

Better to take action early than to regret not having done so in the future.

6. A cat in gloves catches no mice

• Translation: Cat in gloves catches no mice.

It is used to criticize people who are not fully dedicated to their work.. For example, when someone goes to work at the construction site but they are so dressed up that they don't do their job properly so as not to get dirty.

7. Actions speak louder than words

• Translation: Actions speak louder than words.

This phrase can also be expressed in different ways: "words can be taken away by the wind" or "from words to deeds there is a long way".

8. Things often happen when you least expect them to

• Translation: Where the greyhound thinks least, the hare jumps.

Sometimes opportunities come when you least expect them to.

9. A leopard never changes its spots

• Translation: He who is born a piglet dies a pig.

This phrase refers to the fact that no one changes his nature and you cannot fight against destiny.

10. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

• Translation: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

This saying is applied at times when something bad is done to us and all we want is revenge. It goes against reconciliation.

11. A word is enough to the wise

• Translation: A word is enough to the wise.

In other words, there is no need to keep repeating things when once should be enough.

12. All cats are grey in the dark

• Translation: At night all cats are brown.

In reference to the fact that at night and in the dark, imperfections cannot be seen.

13. Give the benefit of the doubt

• Translation: Give the benefit of the doubt.

We should not judge people at the drop of a hat, but wait until we have proof before accusing.

16. Appearances are deceptive

• Translation: Appearances are deceptive: Appearances are deceptive.

It is a saying similar to the previous one, in which people should not be judged because their body image may not be what the person really is.

17. Take what someone says with a pinch of salt

• Translation: To take something with tweezers.

Taking something with a pinch of salt refers to being careful, as it is not something that is very safe or proven.

18. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

• Translation: Prevention is better than cure.

Another English proverb that refers to prevention is better than cure.. In other words, better to take action now than to regret it later.

19. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• Translation: A bird in the hand is better than a hundred in the bush.

It is better to play it safe than to speculate and have a thousand things in mind and then be left with nothing.

20. Take no notice of the stupid things people say

• Translation: To foolish words, deaf ears.

It is necessary to ignore the comments of others. Why get bitter about what ignorant people say.

21. Add insult to injury

• Translation: To add insult to injury.

A phrase that goes in the sense of making things worse, of complicating matters.

22. There's nothing so queer as folk

• Translation: There's nothing so queer as folk.

A quote used when someone is queer or does not fit into the social standards.

23. Speak of the devil

• Translation: Speaking of the king of Rome.

Although the literal translation is rather, "speaking of the devil", in Spanish it is "hablando del rey de Roma". In other words, to be talking about someone and he just happens to appear at that moment.

24. Costs an arm and a leg

• Translation: It costs an arm and a leg.

A saying used to talk about something being very expensive.

25. All roads lead to Rome

• Translation: All roads lead to Rome.

No matter which road you take, you will reach your destination in the end.

26. Feeling a bit under the weather

• Translation: To be a bit under the weather in Spanish.

Basically, to be unwell or not feeling well. When you are tired or sick.

27. Love laughs at locksmiths

• Translation: Love does not respect the law, nor obey the king.

Love is a very intense feeling that provokes the desire and the impulse to be with the person we love.

28. Beggars can't be choosers

• Translation: When there is hunger, there is no hard bread.

When you're having a hard time, you'll cling to anything to appease that feeling.

29. Curiosity killed the cat

• Translation: Curiosity killed the cat: Curiosity killed the cat.

It means that we should not ask questions or be curious, we may regret it.

30. Hear it through the grapevine

• Translation: I heard it through the grapevine.

You heard it through the grapevine when you tell someone you know something but you don't want to tell the name of the person who told you.

31. Everyone gets his comeuppance in the end.

• Translation: To every pig comes his comeuppance in the end.

Bad people, sooner or later, pay for their deeds.

32. Once in a blue moon

• Translation: Once in a blue moon.

It is said when something happens on very rare occasions and at unexpected moments.

33. All griefs with bread are less

• Translation: All griefs with bread are less: All griefs with bread are less.

There is no bigger problem than not having enough to eat or not being able to feed yourself. In other words, all problems have a solution.

34. Caught between two stools

• Translation: To be swimming between two stools.

It expresses being undecided and not knowing what to do. You have to make a decision but you can't make up your mind.

35. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

• Translation: You have to have fun and put work aside for a while.

We only live onceWe only live once, so we have to enjoy this life and have fun and enjoy ourselves.

36. Familiarity breeds contempt

• Translation: Familiarity breeds contempt.

In some cases, over time, spending too much time with a person can make us bored and annoyed by his or her presence.

37. Good things happen to those who wait

• Translation: Good things happen to those who know how to wait.

Patience is rewarded.

38. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

• Translation: the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

A powerful image that highlights that even large organizations can have a point that is so vulnerable that it cripples them.

39. Don't count for chickens before they hatch

• Translation; don't count for chickens before they hatch.

It is better to keep your feet on the ground and not take too optimistic a future for granted.

40. The early bird catches the worm

• Translation: The early bird catches the worm.

Preparing in advance can give you a competitive advantage.

41. A picture is worth a thousand words

Translation: A picture is worth a thousand words.

There are sensations that explain more than textual information.

42. No man is an island

• Translation: No man is an island.

We do not live in isolationWe are part of a social system.

43. The pen is mightier than the sword

• Translation: The pen is more virtuous than the sword.

The power of ideas is greater than that of concrete violence.

44. If you build they will come

• Translation: If you build, they will come.

To be lucky you must first work to make it happen.

45. There's always more fish in the sea

• Translation: There's always more fish in the sea

A proverb used especially in relation to finding a mate.