STUDY NOTES

EPISODE 3: JARRAH FOREST

IDIOMS PROVERBS
STUDY TIPS
English has a variety of ways and means of
conveying meaning or a message. To
describe someone who has a calm manner,
we can use the expression as cool as a
cucumber. To use the expression every
little bit helps we would be conveying the
message that even though someones
monetary contribution may have been small;
it was, nonetheless, helpful and
appreciated. To reassure someone that a
person is not as unpleasant as they seem
from the way they speak, we might say
his/her bark is worse than his/her bite.
These are different types of fixed
expressions, which are generally called
idioms. More specifically they are called a
simile, maxim and proverb, respectively.
Idioms are commonly found in informal
spoken and written English, and are
important to learn and know at all levels. In
using idioms your English will sound more
natural and native-like, and be more
interesting and colourful. Building on the
information in the program, these study
notes explore proverbs in more detail.

When looking up a word in the

dictionary always check whether
the word is used in any special
way such as in a proverb.
Make a note of the proverb and
provide a context in which it can be
used. This makes it easier to learn
and remember.
When listening to people speak,
when reading a newspaper or
watching television, be aware that
in all these situations proverbs are
commonly heard and used.
Using proverbs correctly and
naturally takes practice and time.
Be patient and youll be rewarded.

Proverbs traditional sayings

Proverbs are traditional sayings, and are used to give advice, tell us something about
the world or life in general, or simply to state a general truth. A proverb is a fixed
expression, so its meaning may not always be transparent. For example, the saying
blood is thicker than water is not about water or blood as such, but about family
relationships. The proverb means family loyalty, the blood which links members of a
family, is far stronger than anything else could possibly be. The context, however,
will help in determining the meaning. Look at the proverb in bold in the following
context.
Even if he did abuse you for taking his parking space, you shouldnt
have insulted him in return. Two wrongs dont make a right.
The context tells us that if someone brings harm to you or is bad to you, by
reciprocating in an equally rude or negative way will not make the situation right.
Proverbs are usually found in informal spoken and written language. They are often
not quoted in full because theyre well-known sayings. Using them correctly and
naturally will require special effort practise, patience and time.

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There are different ways of remembering proverbs. They can be grouped according
to a topic, for example, feelings (positive/negative, praise etc.), situations (problems,
solutions etc.) or perhaps by a key word in the expression.
Here is a list of some of the more common proverbs with an example and
explanation. They are cited in their full form, but any words enclosed in brackets are
sometimes omitted when quoting.
PROVERB NOTEBOOK
PROVERB

EXAMPLE

MEANING

absence makes the

heart grow fonder

You must be home sick by now,

John. Isnt it close to a year that you
havent seen your partner? You
know what they say, absence
makes the heart grow fonder.

being away from

someone for a while
will make you love
them even more

actions speak louder

than words

Frankly, Ill wait and see how

management handles the impasse,
but after all the promises I feel its
reached a stage now where actions
speak louder than words.

what someone does is

more important than
what they say theyll do

blood is thicker than

water

Michael has always caused the

family so much grief and sorrow with
his actions, but we arent going to
forsake him now. Blood is thicker
than water.

family loyalty is far

stronger than anything
else could possibly be

every cloud has a

silver lining

Though she lost out on the IT job,

the company did give her a
promotion and salary increase. So
every cloud has a silver lining.

you can find something

good in every bad or
difficult situation

to err is human, (to

forgive, divine)

You shouldnt have been so hard

on him. Dont you know to err is
human!

its only natural for

people to make
mistakes

dont count your

chickens (before
theyre hatched)

A: I have everything worked out. By

buying the little caf on the corner, I
can make lots of money. B: Jill,
dont count your chickens (before
theyre hatched).

you shouldnt make

plans prematurely
thinking that youll be
successful because
things may still go
wrong

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PROVERB

EXAMPLE

MEANING

the early bird catches

the worm

Theyre giving away free

samples for the promotion.
Lets get to the shop first
thing in the morning. You
know what they say, its the
early bird that catches the
worm.

if you go to the trouble of doing

something or getting
somewhere before others you
will have an advantage over
them

its not over until the

fat lady sings

A: Theres no way they can

win 2220 down with two
minutes to go.
B: Have no fear its not
over until the fat lady
sings.
There are a limited number
of seats available on the
morning flight, so first
come, first served.

one cant be certain of the end

result of anything until it is
finished

forewarned is
forearmed

Id like to be briefed please

before I meet with the
delegation. You know what
they say, forewarned is
forearmed.

if you prepare for an event,

you are better able to handle
any problems which might
arise

the grass is (always)

greener on the other
side (of the fence)

A: Ive been grounded

again. Michael has it really
easy. He can do whatever
he likes, stay out as late as
he wants and his parents
dont say a thing. B: You
know, Bob, the grass is
always greener on the
other side.

being unhappy with your

current situation and thinking
others are in a better
situation/position than you

imitation is the
sincerest form of
flattery

Have you noticed shes

taken on your management
style? You know what they
say, imitation is the
sincerest form of flattery.

by following someones
example you are paying that
person the highest compliment
without actually saying so

dont look a gift horse

in the mouth

My parents have given us

their old lounge suite to
furnish the new apartment.
Its seen better days, but we
arent looking a gift horse
in the mouth.

if someone gives you

something never ask about the
value or usefulness of it
accept it graciously

first come, first

served

people are assisted in the

order in which they arrive

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PROVERB

EXAMPLE

MEANING

make hay while the

sun shines

Theyre predicting heavy

rain over the weekend, so
we had better make hay
while the sun shines and
do the washing today.

take advantage of any

opportunities you have

no news is good
news

The doctor hasnt called

about the test results, so I
assume no news is good
news.

if there is no news this must

mean everything is fine
because bad news would have
been relayed

two heads are better

than one

A: Ive asked Heather for

ideas about the project to get
things moving along.
B: You know what they say,
two heads are better than
one.

more can be achieved from

the input of two people than
one person working alone

nothing ventured,
nothing gained

A: Ive always wanted to try

for a supervisors job.
B: Why dont you nothing
ventured, nothing gained.

if you never take a risk, youll

never succeed

no pain, no gain

Youll have to train harder if

you want to get into the state
basketball team. As with
everything in life no pain,
no gain.

if you want to be successful or

achieve something, you need
to work very hard for it

once bitten, twice shy

You can be assured he

wont be speeding again
after being fined $160. As
they say, once bitten, twice
shy.

if someone has had a bad

experience in the past they will
be more cautious or wary in
future to avoid the same thing
happening again

practice makes
perfect

Jane will perform brilliantly

at the next track meet. She
has been practising very
hard, and practice makes
perfect.

by practising an activity
regularly, you will become
proficient at it

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PROVERB

EXAMPLE

MEANING

it never rains but it

pours (British English)

What a week! On Sunday

the heavy winds brought
down the old gum tree onto
the house. On Tuesday, I
had my bag stolen, and then
yesterday the car broke
down on the freeway. When
it rains, it pours.

when one misfortune happens

to you, other bad things tend
to follow soon after

the proof of the

pudding (is in the
eating)

The shop called to say they

fixed my computer but the
proof of the pudding is in
the eating. Ill give it a go
tonight.

you can only judge the quality

of something after it has been
tested or experienced over
time

when in Rome (do as

the Romans do)

On a recent trip to Oman I

found myself doing as the
Romans do wearing a
headscarf and a longsleeved blouse.

when visiting a foreign country

or in a situation which is
unfamiliar, one should fit in
with the habits and lifestyle of
the place

(speech is silver but),

silence is golden

I dont get involved in their

marital quarrels because
silence is always golden.

in some situations its often

best not to say anything

you cant teach an

old dog new tricks

Theres no point in getting

Aunt Sue a DVD when she
still hasnt worked out how to
use the VCR. You cant
teach an old dog new
tricks.

its hard to get people to

change their habits, ideas,
method of work, etc. if they are
set in their ways

variety is the spice of

life

A: Jill, dont you think youre

overdoing it with your scuba
diving, trekking, and hanggliding.
B: You know what they say
John, variety is the spice of
life.

life is more enjoyable when its

filled with new and exciting
experiences

dont wash your dirty

linen in public

Details of the Smiths

acrimonious divorce
settlement have made frontpage news. They shouldnt
have washed their dirty
linen in public.

one shouldnt discuss private

matters which may be
scandalous publicly

when it rains, it pours

(North American
English)

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PROVERB

EXAMPLE

MEANING

waste not, want not

Tommy, you should finish

your meal. Waste not, want
not.

if you dont waste what you

have, usually spoken in
reference to food and money,
youll never be short of it

alls well that ends

well

Alls well that ends well.

The insurance company
eventually did replace
everything that we had
stolen and damaged in the
break in.

in any difficult situation if

everything works out all right in
the end thats the only thing
that matters

where theres a will,

theres a way

I couldnt believe she

managed to get tickets for
tomorrows concert, but it
only proves that where
theres a will, theres a
way.

if you desperately want to do

something, youll find a way of
doing it

two wrongs dont

make a right

Even if he did abuse you for

taking his parking space, you
shouldnt have insulted him
in return. Two wrongs dont
make a right.

if someone brings harm to you

or is bad to you, by
reciprocating in the same way
will not make the situation right

Here are some other proverbs, which are commonly used:

You shouldnt judge a book by its cover.
You can always judge a man by the clothes he wears.
All that glitters is not gold.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.

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