English Proverbs Lesson_1

8/3/2019 English Proverbs Lesson_1

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This month’s lesson will help you become familiar with a number of common English proverbs. You will also learn how proverbs are usedin English and when it may be appropriate to use them.




What is a Proverb?Proverbs are short, memorable phrases that give advice about life. Virtually all languageshave them. From ancient times people have argued about how to suitably define aproverb. Here are some possible definitions.

“Proverbs contains wisdom that has been handed down from one generation to the next.”

“A proverb consists of a short sentence or phrase that contains a general piece of wisdom.”

“Proverbs are phrases expressing knowledge about aspects of life that are universally familiar to mankind.”

“A Proverbs is a colloquial saying that is easily memorized, and contains traditional beliefs about life.”

These are all good attempts to explain exactly what a proverb is. The following is a morecomprehensive definition.

“A proverb is a phrase or saying which contains wisdom, truth, experience, lessons and advice concerning life and which has been handed down from generation to generation.”

However, do proverbs necessarily contain wisdom ? Many obviously contradict eachother.

E.g. “Birds of a feather flock together” but “Opposites attract” and “There is no place likehome” but “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.

For the language learner proverbs are useful and enjoyable to know and understand, butas with all idiomatic expressions, care should be taken when using them. This lesson willintroduce some common proverbs and show you how and when they are used inconversation.




Exercise 1 A. Below is a list of common Englishproverbs. Can you match a beginningon the right with an ending on the left?The first one has been done for you.

Scroll down and check your answers

B. After checking your answers, look at the following questions.

1. Have you heard any of these proverbs before?

2. What do you think they mean?

3. Do you have the same, or similar proverbs in your language?

4. Do you know any other English Proverbs?

Beginnings Endings“Many hands it pours”

“When it rains shouldn’t throw stones”

“Don’t put all your eggs there is fire”

“The early bird make light work”

”People in glasshouses spoil the broth”

”Where there is smoke catches the worm”

“Too many cooks in one basket”

“Kill two birds is another man’s poison”

“One man’s meat with one stone”

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”




C. Look at the statements below that explain the ten proverbs above. Choosethe correct proverb for each. The first one has been done for you.

1. Being early is a good thing The early bird gets the worm.

2. Rumours are usually based on truth

3. You should be appreciative when something is offered

4. It is unwise to put all your energy into one thing

5. When there is one problem, often many follow

6. It is dangerous to criticise others if you are not perfect yourself

7. A lot of people helping makes a job easier

8. What is good for one person may be bad for another

9. Doing two things at the same time is an excellent way to save time

10. Too many people working on one job can be a bad thing





Proverbs are often used at the end of a

true story someone has told, or inresponse to some event. Consider thefollowing example conversation.

John: “How was your day, Sarah?”

Sarah: “Terrible! This morning I woke up late and missed the bus. I took a taxi towork, but I left my mobile phone in the taxi. When I finally arrived at work I spilt

coffee all over a really important document.”

John: “What a disaster, but as the saying goes, when it rains it pours.”

Note: Proverbs are used sparingly in native-speech. They are useful andenjoyable to know and understand, but should be used with care.

Exercise 2

Look at the following situations and choose an appropriate proverb fromtoday’s lesson.

Situation 1

You are organising a ski trip with some friends, but everyone has differentideas and opinions about what they want to do and where they want to go. Inthe end it becomes impossible to agree and make plans. Yousay.……………………….

Situation 2

Your friend has just graduated from high school and you ask her about whichdifferent universities she has applied to. She says that she is only applying toone university because she is sure she will be accepted. On hearing this, yousay to her…………………………




Situation 3

You are walking down the street with a few friends and see a man trying tomove a heavy piano into his new apartment. He is having a very difficult time.The three of you go over and help him. With your help the piano is sooninside. The man thanks you and says ……………………

Situation 4

You want to buy some clothes that are heavily discounted at an end of

summer sale. You arrive late and everything has already been sold. You gohome and complain to your friend. She says……………………….

Situation 5

Your brother who doesn’t speak English is going to Australia to live. He wantsto learn how to cook because he will be living alone. He complains that he isso busy studying English he doesn’t have time to learn to cook. You suggesthe buy an English cooking book, so he can learn English and cooking at thesame time. You say, “Why don’t you……………………..”

Situation 6

Steve often criticises people when they are late, but he is sometimes latehimself. You tell him that ………………………





Exercise 11. “Many hands make light work”A lot of people helping makes a job easier 2. “When it rains it pours”When there is one problem, often many follow 3. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”It is unwise to put all your energy into one thing 4. “The early bird catches the worm”Being early is a good thing5. “People in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones”It is dangerous to criticise others if you are not perfect yourself 6. ”Where there is smoke there is fire”Rumours are usually based on truth 7. “Too many cooks spoil the broth”Too many people working on one job can be a bad thing 8. “Kill two birds with one stone”Doing two things at the same time is an excellent way to save time

9. “One man’s meat is another mans poison”What is good for one person may be bad for another 10. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”You should be pleased and appreciate what is offered to you

Exercise 2

Situation 1 Too many cooks spoil the brothSituation 2 Don’t put all your eggs in one basketSituation 3 Many hands make light workSituation 4 The early bird catches the wormSituation 5 Kill two birds with one stoneSituation 6 People in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones

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English Proverbs Lesson_1

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