Proverb A

Explanation / Meaning Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Accidents will happen. Actions speak louder than words. Advice is cheap. Advice is least heeded when most needed. Advisers run no risks. All cats are grey in the dark. All good things come to those who wait. All that glitters is not gold. All days are short to Industry and long to Idleness. All is fair in love and war All's well that ends well All that glitters is not gold. All things grow with time - except grief. All things are difficult before they are easy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. When you are away from someone you love, you love them even more. Some unfortunate events must be accepted as inevitable. What a person actually does is more important that what they say they will do. It doesn't cost anything to offer advice. When a problem is serious, people often do not follow the advice given. It's easier to give advice than to act. People are undistinguished until they have made a name. Patience brings rewards. Appearances can be deceptive. Time goes by slowly when you have nothing to do. Things that are done in love or war can often be excused. There is a solution to everything even though there are doubts. What look good on the outside may not be so in reality. As time goes by, grief subsides little by little. With practice things become easier. Everybody needs a certain amount of relaxation. It is not good to work all the time. Eating an apple every day can help to keep you healthy. Other interpretation : A small preventive treatment wards off serious problems. When one's financial situation deteriorates, friends tend to disappear. An Englishman's home is a place where he feels safe, enjoys privacy and can do as he wishes. When you work you avoid temptation. *A humoristic version of "an apple a day..." It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later. When you are angry, it is best not to speak or act immediately. If the date of an event remains vague, it will never happen.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.*

An empty purse frightens away friends. An Englishman's home is his castle.

An idle brain is the devil's workshop. An onion a day keeps everyone away.* An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Anger is the one thing made better by delay. Any time means no time.

April showers bring May flowers.

Something bad or unpleasant today may bring good things in the future. A bad parent does not raise good children. Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of skill. It's better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by searching for something better. Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before. Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily. A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things. 1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury. 2) Three lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay. The strength of a group depends on each individual member. A change in routine is often as refreshing as a break or a holiday. Harvest predictions according to the weather. Confession is the beginning of forgiveness. If you miss an occasion, you can avail of it at another time. A foolish person usually spends money carelessly. If a person hasn't matured by the age of 40, they never will. Someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend. Someone who is a friend to everyone makes none of them feel special. A real friend will tell you the truth. Giving an example is better than giving advice. If a task is carefully planned, there's a better chance that it will be done well. You sleep well when you have nothing to feel guilty about. It is not possible for a bad or unpleasant person to become good or pleasant. Really wealthy don't talk about money.

A bad tree does not yield good apples. A bad workman blames his tools. A bird in hand is worth two in a bush. A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound. A burden of one's own choice is not felt. A burnt child dreads the fire. A cat has nine lives.

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. A change is as good as a rest. A dry March, a wet April and a cool May fill barn and cellar and bring much hay. A fault confessed is half redressed. A flower blooms more than once. A fool and his money are soon (easily) parted. A fool at forty is a fool forever. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend to all is a friend to none. A friend's eye is a good mirror. A good example is the best sermon. A good beginning makes a good end. A good conscience is a soft pillow. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. A leopard cannot change its spots. A loaded wagon makes no noise. A loveless life is a living death. A man can die but once. A man is as old as he feels himself to be. A man is known by the company he keeps.

A monkey in silk is a monkey no less.

A person's character is judged by the type of people with whom they spend their time. No matter how someone dresses, it's the same person

A new broom sweeps clean. A problem shared is a problem halved. A rising tide lifts all boats. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

A rotten apple spoils the barrel. A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner. A stitch in time saves nine.

A stumble may prevent a fall. A swallow does not make the summer. A tree is known by its fruit. A watched pot never boils A young idler, an old beggar. After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile. As you make your bed you must lie upon it. As you sow, so shall you reap Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. B Bad news travels fast. Beauty is only skin deep. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men. Be swift to hear, slow to speak. Better be alone than in bad company. Better be the head of a dog then the tail of a lion. Better flatter a fool than fight him. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know Better late than never. Better lose the saddle than the horse.

underneath. A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically. It will be easier to deal with a problem if you discuss it with someone. Describes something that will be helpful to all. If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor possessions. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down! A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group. Overcoming adversity leads to competence. It's better to deal with a problem at an early stage, to prevent it from getting worse. Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one. One good event does not mean that everything is alright. A man is judged by his actions. If you wait anxiously for something, it seems to take a long time. If you don't work, you won't have any money when you're old. Today 'dinner' is usually called 'lunch', and 'supper' more often called 'dinner'. You should choose carefully the person you marry. You have to accept the consequences of your actions. There are subjects I'd rather not discuss. People tend to circulate bad news (accidents, illness etc.) very quickly. A person's character is more important than their appearance. Different people have different tastes.

Better safe than sorry

Listen carefully before speaking. Be careful in the choice of the people you associate with. It's better to be the leader of a small group than a subordinate in a bigger one. It's better to avoid disputes with stupid people. It's better to deal with somebody difficult but familiar, than change and risk dealing with somebody worse. It's better to do something, even if it's late, than not do it at all. It's better to stop and accept a small loss, rather than continue and risk losing everything. It's better to be too careful than to be careless and regret it later.

Better to drink the milk than to eat the cow. Better untaught than ill-taught Beware of Greeks bearing gifts. Birds of a feather flock together. Blood is thicker than water Blood will out. Boys will be boys.

Be careful not to destroy the source of your income or welfare. It's better not to be taught at all than to be taught badly. Don't trust your enemies. People of the same sort are usually found together. Family relationships are stronger than relationships with other people. A person's background or education will eventually show. Boys, and sometimes men, behave in a childish way from time to time. A person's first duty is to help and care for his own family. A clean body is just as important as a pure soul. If the atmosphere is clear, frost may form. Appearances can be deceiving. When you work you avoid temptation. Criminals do not benefit from their actions. A dead person cannot cause difficulties by revealing something that it would be preferable to conceal. Refers to two people equally matched in wit or cunning. Hard work brings rewards. It is useless to take unnecessary risks.

Charity begins at home. Children and fools tell the truth. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Clear moon, frost soon. Clothes don't make the man. Constant occupation prevents temptation. Crime doesn't pay

Dead men tell no tales

Diamond cuts diamond. Diligence is the mother of good fortune. Discretion is the better part of valour Diseases of the soul are more dangerous than those of the body. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Dogs of the same street bark alike. Don't bark if you can't bite. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork. Don't judge a book by its cover. E Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Easier said than done. Easy come, easy go. Elbow grease is the best polish. Empty vessels make the most noise. Every ass likes to hear himself bray. Every cloud has a silver lining

When you are separated from the person you love, your feelings are even stronger. People from the same background have the same behaviour. Don't complain if you can't enforce your point of view. You must not be too confident that something will be successful. Don't do something yourself which causes your own downfall. Don't judge by appearances.

What is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it. Money obtained without difficulty is easily spent or lost. Hard work gives the best results. The least intelligent people are often the most talkative or noisy. People like to listen to themselves talking. There is a positive or hopeful side to every unpleasant situation.

Every man for himself. Every man has his price. Every man is the architect of his own fortune. Every path has its puddle. Every rose has its thorn. Every why has a wherefore. Everything in the garden is rosy. Experience is the father of wisdom. F Facts speak louder than words.

You must think of your own interests before the interests of others. Everyone's loyalty can be bought for a price. Life is what you make it. Progress is rarely without difficulty. Every good thing has an unpleasant side. There is an explanation for everything. Everything is satisfactory. Experience and knowledge result in better judgement. People show what they are really like by what they do, rather than by what they say.

Failure teaches success. False friends are worse than open enemies. Familiarity breeds contempt Fine words butter no parsnips. First come, first served. First things first. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Friendship is love with understanding. G Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade. Give someone an inch and they will take a mile (or yard). Give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves. God helps those who help themselves. Good accounting makes good friends. Good and quickly seldom meet. Good management is better than good income. Great minds think alike. Great oaks grow from little acorns. Grief divided is made lighter H Half a loaf is better than none. Hard words break no bones. Haste makes waste. Hatred is a blind as love. He can who believes he can.

Knowing somebody very well may lead to a lack of respect for them. No amount of talking can replace action. The first person in the line will be attended to first. You should start with the most important duties or concerns. One should learn from one's mistakes. Inexperienced people act in situations that more intelligent people would avoid

Nothing is achieved without effort. Give someone a little and they will want more - some people are never satisfied. Give someone enough time and freedom and they will get into trouble. You will keep your friends if you avoid disputes over money. A well-done job takes time. Said when you express the same opinion as another person at the same time. Large successful operations can begin in a small way. If you share your grief it is easier to bear. You should be grateful for something, even if it's not as much as you wanted. If something is done too quickly, it may be done carelessly and need to be redone. A person who feels hatred does not see any qualities in the person he/she hates. If you believe you can do something, you will be able to

He has enough who is content. He who hesitates is lost. He who is everywhere is nowhere. He who knows nothing, doubts nothing. He who pays the piper calls the tune. He who plays with fire gets burnt. He who wills the end wills the means. He laughs best who laughs last. Health is better than wealth. Home is where the heart is. Honesty is the best policy. Honey catches more flies than vinegar. However long the night, the dawn will break Hunger is a good sauce. I In times of prosperity friends are plentiful. If a camel gets his nose in a tent, his body will follow. If life deals you lemons, make lemonade. If in February there be no rain, 'tis neither good for hay nor grain. If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will avoid 100 days of sorrow. If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one. If two ride a horse, one must ride behind.

do it. A happy person needs nothing more. If you delay your decision too long, you may miss a good opportunity. It's not good to do too many things at the same time. Knowledge leads us to make choices. The person who provides the money for something should control how it is spent If you behave in a risky way, you are likely to have problems. If you are determined to do something you will find a way. Don't express your joy, or your triumph, too soon! It's better to be in good health than to be rich. You call home the place where the people you love are. It's always better to be honest. You can obtain more cooperation from others by being nice. Bad things don't last forever. All food tastes good when you are hungry. You have many friends when you have no difficulties. If you let something intrusive enter your life, your life will become difficult . You should make the best of a bad situation. Plants and crops will grow badly if there is no rain in early spring. Avoid regrets by taking time to think before speaking or acting angrily. If you try to do two things at the same time, you won't succeed in doing either of them. When two people do something together, one will be the leader and the other will be the subordinate. Wishing alone is of no use; you must act as well. Possible interpretation: What you do not know causes no worry or sadness. If you start something, it's better to spend the time or money necessary to complete it. A man of even limited ability has an advantage over a person who is less able. Misfortunes usually come in large numbers. The most difficult time is just before a problem is solved. Don't express regret for something that has happened and cannot be remedied. People vary in character and abilities, and this is a good thing. If the law is applied too late, there is no justice.

If you want a friend, be a friend. If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. Ignorance is bliss. In for a penny, in for a pound. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. It never rains but it pours. It is always darkest before the dawn It's no use crying over spilt milk. It takes all sorts to make a world.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

Knowledge in youth is wisdom in age. Knowledge is power. Kill one to warn a hundred. Kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Kindness begets kindness.

What you learn when you are young will be invaluable when you grow old. Knowledge makes it possible for you to act. Warn many by punishing a few. Destroy something that would be a source of wealth or success. If you are kind to people, they will be kind to you.

FEELINGS - EMOTIONS - REACTIONS

Ants in one's pants

Bare your heart (or soul) to someone

Bear the brunt (of something)

Bent out of shape

People who have ants in their pants are very restless or excited about something "I wish he'd relax. He's got ants in his pants about something today!" If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them. "John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend." A person who bears the brunt of something is the one who suffers the most when something bad or unpleasant happens. "When things go wrong, his assistant always has to bear the brunt of his anger." If you get bent out of shape, you become very annoyed or upset about something that is usually not that important or cannot be avoided. "Don't get bent out of shape if you're delayed. We'll wait for you." If you are beside yourself (with an emotion), you lose your selfcontrol because of the intensity of the emotion you are feeling. "He was beside himself with grief when he lost his son." If you carry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you do not or cannot have a relationship.. "He's been carrying the torch for Julie since their college days, before she married Ted." If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed. "My seven-year-old son thinks he's a big boy; he wouldn't be caught dead holding my hand!" If something causes a stir, it creates an atmosphere of excitement or great interest. "The arrival of the actress caused quite a stir in the village." If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed. "My seven-year-old son thinks he's a big boy; he wouldn't be caught dead holding my hand!" If someone is cheesed off with something, they are annoyed, bored or frustrated. "Julie is absolutely cheesed off with her job.

Beside yourself (with an emotion)

Carry the torch

Wouldn't be caught/seen dead

Cause a stir

Wouldn't be caught/seen dead

Cheesed off

A chip on your shoulder

Close to home

Come apart at the seams

Cork something up

Cut to the quick

Out of your depth. On the edge of one's seat

Feel on top of the world

Keep one's feet on the ground Fever pitch

A fish out of water

Fit to be tied

If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they feel resentful because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially because of their background, their sex or their colour. If a remark or comment is close to home, it is so true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable. "Alan looks embarrassed. Bob's comment must have been close to home!" To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress. "Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming apart at the seams." If you cork something up (feelings, emotions), you fail to show or express them. "It would be better for her if she showed her grief and didn't cork up her feelings." If you cut someone to the quick, you hurt their feelings or offend them deeply. "Alan was cut to the quick when Jack expressed doubts about his sincerity." If you are out of your depth, it means you are in a situation which is too difficult for you, or which you know little about. Someone who is on the edge of their seat is very interested in something and finds it both extremely exciting and nerve-wracking. "Look at Bob! He's on the edge of his seat watching that rugby match." If you feel on top of the world, you feel wonderful or ecstatic about something. "I've been feeling on top of the world since I got the results - I'm qualified!" A person who keeps their feet on the ground continues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful. If a situation or feeling reaches fever pitch, it becomes very intense and exciting. "Reaction to the affair has reached fever pitch all over the country." If you feel like a fish out of water , you feel uncomfortable because of an unfamiliar situation or unfamiliar surroundings. "As a non-golfer, I felt like a fish out of water at the clubhouse." Someone who is fit to be tied is extremely irritated, upset or angry. "Harry was fit to be tied when his dog dug up the flowers he had planted." This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true thoughts or feelings. "So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!" A person who has their heart in the right place has kind feelings and good intentions, even if the results are not too good. "The old lady's cake wasn't wonderful but she's got her heart in the right place." If you get a grip on yourself, you make an effort to control your

Freudian slip

Have one's heart in the right place

Get a grip on yourself

Get something out of your system

Get worked up (about something)

Go bananas

Go off the deep end

Go to pieces

Groan inwardly

Gut feeling

Hard as nails

Have kittens

Head over heels in love

Change of heart

feelings so as to be able to deal with a situation.. "After the initial shock, Lisa got a grip on herself and called an ambulance." This expression means that you get rid of a strong emotion or desire by expressing it openly or trying to fulfil it. "Tell your parents how you feel - it's better to get it out of your system!" If you get worked up about something, you become upset, annoyed or excited, often unnecessarily. "It's his first day at school tomorrow and he's all worked up about it!" If someone becomes very emotional and starts behaving in a crazy way, they go bananas. "If you announce that you're going to drop out of school, your parents will go bananas! If a person goes off the deep end, they become so angry or upset that they cannot control their emotions "Mary will go off the deep end if her kids leave the kitchen in a mess again. " If you go to pieces, for example after a terrible shock, you are so upset or distressed that you cannot lead your life normally. "Jack nearly went to pieces when his son died in a plane crash." If you groan inwardly, you feel like expressing despair, disapproval or distress, but you remain silent. "On his return, when Pete saw the pile of files on his desk, he groaned inwardly." If you have a gut feeling about something, you have a strong intuition which you cannot explain, but you are sure that you are right. "As I read the story, I had a gut feeling that the postman was lying ... and I was right!" A person who is hard (or 'tough') as nails is unsentimental and shows no sympathy. "Don't expect any sympathy from him. He's as hard as hails." To say you're going to have kittens is a dramatic way of expressing worry, anxiety or fear. "His mother nearly had kittens when Alex announced that he wanted to be a trapeze artist." When a person falls passionately in love with another, they are said to be head over heels in love. "Tony's only interest at the moment is Maria. He's head over heels in love with her!" If someone has a change of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation. "He was against charity, but he had a change of heart

when he saw the plight of the homeless." Heebie-jeebies A state of apprehension, nervousness or anxiety is called the heebie-jeebies. "Having to go down to the car park at night gives me the heebiejeebies." To say that you don't or couldn't give a hoot, means that you don't care at all about something. "She wears eccentric clothes but she's couldn't give a hoot about what others think." If you hope against hope, you continue to hope even when the situation looks bad "The whole building was destroyed by fire. John's parents are hoping against hope that he escaped in time." If you get hot under the collar, you feel annoyed, indignant or embarrassed. "If anyone criticizes his proposals, Joe immediately gets hot under the collar." If you say or do something in the heat of the moment, you say or do it without pausing to think, at a time when you are experiencing unusually strong emotions such as anger, excitement, etc. "I was so angry that in the heat of the moment I said things that I regretted later." If you keep your fingers crossed, you hope that something will be successful. "I'm doing my driving test tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me." If you react to a situation in a sensible way, without exaggerating the importance or seriousness of the facts, you keep things in proportion. "Yes, we've got a problem, but let's try to keep things in proportion." If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other people see their feelings. "When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip." To say that you could "cut the atmosphere with a knife" means that the atmosphere is extremely tense or unfriendly. If you know someone or something inside out, you know them very well. When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover their confidence or spirits after a defeat, failure or disappointment. "Poor Harry is licking his wounds after being dropped off the team." If you look on the bright side, you view a mostly unpleasant situation in a positive and optimistic way and see the favourable aspects. "OK. You know nobody, But there's a bright side - you'll make lots of new friends!" This expression means that if someone loves you, they must love everything about you, including everyone and everything that you love.

Couldn't give a hoot!

Hope against hope

Hot under the collar

In the heat of the moment

Keep your fingers crossed

Keep (something) in proportion

Keep a stiff upper lip

Cut the atmosphere with a knife Know someone/something inside out. Lick one's wounds

Look on the bright side

Love me, love my dog

A lump in your throat

Make one's ears burn

Make one's flesh crawl

Make one's hair stand on end

Mixed feelings

Nice as pie

No hard feelings

Not give a hang about something

Nose out of joint

Open/reopen old wounds

If you have a lump in your throat, you have a tight feeling in your throat because of a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude. "The speech was so touching that I had a lump in my throat." If something makes your ears burn, you are embarrassed by what you hear, especially if the conversation is about you. "The comments I overheard made my ears burn. " Something that makes your flesh crawl fills you with disgust or makes you feel very nervous. "Just talking about snakes makes my flesh crawl." If you are absolutely terrified of something, it makes your hair stand on end. "Just the thought of getting on a plane makes my hair stand on end." When you have mixed feelings about something, you react to it with conflicting emotions; you are happy and unhappy at the same time. "I had mixed feelings about leaving the company. I was excited about my new job but sad to be leaving my colleagues." If a person is nice as pie, they are surprisingly very kind and friendly "After our argument, she was nice as pie!" If you have no hard feelings, you feel no resentment or bitterness about something. When Jack was promoted instead of Steve, he said to Steve : "No hard feelings I hope." If you do not give a hang about something, you are totally indifferent to it and do not care at all about it. "I'm not interested in football so I don't give a hang about which team wins." If a person's nose is out of joint, they have been upset, embarrassed or offended by somebody or something. "When he discovered that he wasn't on the invitation list, that really put his nose out of joint.' If you open or reopen old wounds, you revive memories of an unpleasant event, situation or dispute that took place in the past. "He carefully avoided the subject so as not to open old wounds." When you hit the panic button, you raise the alarm too quickly or react too hastily in a difficult or stressful situation. "Calm down! There's no need to press the panic button yet." Someone who is as pleased (or as proud) as punch is delighted or feels very satisfied about something. "Danny was as proud as punch when he won the tennis match." If you pour your heart out to someone, you express your feelings and troubles freely. "When she needs to pour her heart out to someone, she goes to visit her grandmother."

(Hit/press/push) the panic button As pleased (or as proud) as punch Pour your heart out

Prey on someone's mind

Prolong the agony

Proud as a peacock

If something preys on your mind, it troubles you so much that you keep thinking about it. "The vision of the house on fire kept preying on her mind." If someone prolongs the agony, they make an unpleasant or tense situation last longer than necessary. "Please don't prolong the agony. Just tell me whether I've been accepted or not." A person who is as proud as a peacock is extremely proud. "When his son won first prize, Bill was as proud as a peacock." If you put your foot in your mouth, you do or say something that offends, upsets or embarrasses someone else. "She really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party - Andy hadn't been invited!" If you are in a stressful situation, having to answer a lot of questions or wait for a decision, you are on the rack. "The suspect was put on the rack by the police but he did not confess to anything." If your behaviour or attitude makes someone cry, you reduce them to tears. "The teacher criticized her presentation so harshly that she was reduced to tears." If something sends a shiver down your spine, it makes you feel anxious, nervous or excited. "That song always sends a shiver down my spine." If you have a soft spot for someone or something, you particularly like them. "My grandfather has always had a soft spot for fast cars." If something speaks volumes, it expresses a reaction or opinion very clearly, with no need for words. "The happy smile on the child's face when he opened the box spoke volumes about my choice of gift." If you put somebody on the spot, you put them in a difficult situation, for example by asking embarrassing or difficult questions which they cannot avoid. "When the reporter was asked to reveal his source, he was really put on the spot." To let off steam means to say or do something to relieve your feelings about something. If someone is or gets steamed up about something, they become very angry, excited or enthusiastic about it. "Calm down - there's no need to get all steamed up about it! "

Put one's foot in one's mouth

On the rack

Reduce to tears

Send a shiver down one's spine

Have a soft spot

Speak volumes

On the spot

Let off steam.

Steamed up

In a stew

A stitherum

Strike (or hit) a raw nerve

Swallow one's pride

Sweet nothings

When someone is in a stew about something, they are worried and agitated. "When she was organizing the wedding reception, Laura got into a stew over the seating arrangements." Someone who is (all) in a stitherum is excited, agitated or confused about something. "The mayor's resignation created quite a stitherum in the town." If something you say strikes a raw nerve, it upsets someone because they are very sensitive about the subject. "Julie has just lost her job. You struck a raw nerve when you mentioned unemployment." If you swallow your pride, you accept something humiliating or embarrassing, for example having to admit that you are wrong, or that you have less knowledge than you thought. "When Jill failed the exam, she had to swallow her pride and repeat the course." Pleasant but unimportant words that lovers say to each other are called sweet nothings. "He whispered sweet nothings in her ear as they danced." If you take a fancy to someone or something, you develop a fondness or begin to like them. "I think John has taken a fancy to the new intern!" If something takes a load or weight off somebody's mind, it brings great relief because a problem has been solved. "When the company closed down, finding a new job took a load off Tom's mind." If someone is tearing their hair out, they are extremely agitated or distressed about something. "I've been tearing my hair out all morning trying to find the error!" A person who is on tenterhooks is in a state of anxious suspense or excitement. When someone says they can thank their lucky stars, they are expressing heartfelt gratitude or feeling particularly fortunate. "I can thank my lucky stars I wasn't on the train that crashed." To say 'that's the last straw' expresses exasperation at the last in a series of unpleasant events which makes the situation intolerable. "After a harassing day of negotiating, the traffic jam was the last straw!" If you consider someone to be the most wonderful person in the world, it is said that you think the sun rises and sets on that person. "She adores her husband. She thinks the sun rises and sets on him." If you think the world of someone, you like or admire them very much.

Take a fancy

Take a load/weight off somebody's mind

Tear one's hair out

On tenterhooks

Thank one's lucky stars

That's the last straw!

Think the sun rises and sets on someone

Think the world of someone

Thinly veiled

A thorn in your side Tongue-tied

"She's a wonderful grandmother - the children think the world of her." If something such as a feeling or reaction is thinly veiled, it is barely hidden. "His disappointment was thinly veiled when he saw what he had won." If you say someone is a thorn in your side, you mean that they continually irritate or annoy you. If you are tongue-tied, you have difficulty in expressing yourself because you are nervous or embarrassed. "At the start of the interview I was completely tongue-tied, but little by little I relaxed." To say that something or someone tugs at the heartstrings means that they cause others to feel a great deal of pity or sadness. "The hospital's plea for donors tugged at the heartstrings of millions of viewers." If someone does not turn a hair, they show no emotion in circumstances when a reaction is expected. "When the police came to arrest him, he didn't turn a hair." If you are over the moon, you are absolutely delighted. "We were all over the moon when we heard the good news." To say that two people are on the same wavelength means that they understand each other well because they share the same interests and opinions.< If a person is weak at the knees, they are temporarily barely able to stand because of emotion, fear or illness. "The shock of the announcement made me go weak at the knees." If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you allow others to see your emotions or feelings. "You could see she was hurt - she wears her heart on her sleeve." When you are so embarrassed by something that you would like to disappear, you wish the ground would swallow you up. "When I realized I was reading the wrong report, I stood there in front of the group wishing the ground would swallow me up." When you are or mean all the world to someone, you are very important or precious to them. "His daughter means all the world to Mr. Jones. He says he couldn't live without her." When someone is so excited that they talk non-stop, they are wound up. "Claire had so much to tell us after her trip that she was wound up." When someone's feelings or thoughts are very clear, you can say that they are written all over their face. "Her affection for her grandson was written all over the old lady's face." If you are at your wits' end, you are very worried or anxious about something, and you don't know what to do. "When her son dropped out of school for the second time,

Tug at the heartstrings

not turn a hair

Over the moon On the same wavelength

Weak at the knees

Wear your heart on your sleeve

Wish the ground would swallow you up

Be/mean all the world to somebody

Wound up

Written all over (someone's) face

At one's wits' end

Susan was at her wits' end."

Prov erb L

Explanation / Meaning

Laughter is the best medicine. Learn to walk before you run. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. Least said soonest mended. Let bygones be bygones. Let not the sun go down on your wrath. Let the chips fall where they may. Let well alone Liars need good memories. Lightning never strikes in the same place twice Like father, like son. Little strokes fell great oaks. Look before you leap. Loose lips sink ships.

Losers weepers, finders keepers. Love is blind.

Don't rush into doing something until you know how to do it. Education is something you keep forever. The more discreet you are, the less damage you cause. Let's forgive and forget past quarrels. Do not stay angry for more than one day. We should not try to control our destiny. Do not interfere with something that is functioning properly or a calm situation. People who do not tell the truth must be careful to remember what they say. An unusual event is not likely to occur again in exactly the same circumstances. A son's character can be expected to resemble his father's. If you divide a task into small parts, it becomes easier to do. Consider possible consequences before taking action. Disclosing important information ( to the enemy or a competitor) could result in large losses. If you lose something you weep, if you find something you keep it. A person in love does not see the faults of the person he/she loves.

Make a silk purse out of a sow's ear M Man is the head of the family; woman is the neck that turns the head. Man proposes, God disposes. Manners make the man. Many hands make light work. Marry in haste, repent at leisure. Memory is the treasure of the mind. Men make houses, women make homes.

Manage to produce something good using poor material.

Our destiny depends on God's will. Possibly: a person's manners show their origins. Sharing work makes work easier. If you get married too quickly, you may spend all your life regretting it.

Might as well be hanged for a sheep as (for) a lamb

Money begets money. Money doesn't grow on trees. Money is the root of all evil. Money talks.

If the penalty is going to be the same, you might as well commit the greater offence. If you have money you can make more money. You shouldn't waste money because it is not plentiful. Money is the main cause of wrongdoing and problems. Money helps you obtain the desired result. The need for something forces people to find a way of obtaining it. Necessity will make you find a solution. Don't postpone something you can do now. Never give up. It's impossible to follow instructions from two different sources. We all need other people. If the news was bad, we would hear of it. Since we have heard nothing, we can assume that all is well. There could be some truth in the rumour... Similar to : 'no smoke without fire'. You cannot expect to achieve anything if you don't take risks. After an unpleasant experience, people are careful to avoid something similar. You should be helpful to someone who helps you. 'One of these days' remains vague. What you have today is better than what is promised or hoped for. People don't always like the same things. What is useless to one person could be valuable to another. A single satisfactory event does not mean that all the others will be as good. Only a real friend will tell you the truth. Don't miss opportunities that come along. Children often speak wisely.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Need teaches a plan. Never put off till tomorrow what can be done today Never say die. Nobody is perfect. No man can serve two masters. No man is an island. No news is good news.

No smoke without fire. No wind, no waves. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Once bitten, twice shy. One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. One good turn deserves another. One of these days is none of these days. One today is worth two tomorrow. One man's meat is another man's poison One man's trash is another man's treasure. One swallow doesn't make a summer. Only real friends will tell you when your face is dirty. Opportunity seldom knocks twice. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings

Out of sight, out of mind.

We tend to forget people or things that we do not see.

Patience is a virtue Penny wise, pound foolish.

It is good to be patient. Refers to a person who is careful about spending small amounts of money, but not careful about spending large amounts of money. One should not criticize others for faults similar to one's own. If you do not work you will not make money. Doing something repeatedly is the only way to become good at it. Do yourself what you advise others to do. It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later. Don't be too self-confident or proud; something may happen to make you look foolish. Delaying an action for too long is a waste of time. You should always be on time for your business appointments. Risk everything by relying on one plan (by putting all one's money in one business). There is satisfaction in returning an injury. It takes a long time to do a job properly. You should not expect to do it quickly. Friends can be more dangerous than enemies. People don't always do what they announce. Debts paid quickly encourage friendship. If you don't object to something it can be assumed that you agree with it. Feeling very comfortable. If you don't punish a child when he does wrong, you will spoil his character. Physical attacks may harm me, but cruel words will not.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Poverty waits at the gates of idleness. Practice makes perfect. Practise what you preach Prevention is better than cure

Pride comes before a fall.

Procrastination is the thief of time Punctuality is the soul of business Put all your eggs in one basket

Revenge is sweet. Rome was not built in a day.

Save me from my friends. Saying is one thing, doing is another. Short reckonings make long friends. Sickness in the body brings sadness to the mind. Silence gives consent. Snug as a bug in a rug. Spare the rod and spoil the child Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me

Still waters run deep. A stitch in time saves nine

Stolen fruit is the sweetest. T Tall oaks grow from little acorns. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The best advice is found on the pillow. The best things in life are free.

A quiet person can have much knowledge or wisdom. It's better to deal with a problem in its early stages, because if you don't, it will get worse. What is forbidden is the most tempting. Great things may come from small beginnings. Children resemble their parents. After a good night's sleep we may find an answer to our problem. You don't have to pay for what is important : happiness, friendship, good health. There is hope even in the worst of times. Success comes to those who deserve it least . People who have no work, or are idle, often get into or make trouble. A decision has been made and it's impossible to change it. If you want to do something successfully, you should do it as soon as you can. Wrong or unfair methods may be used if the result of the action is good. The most difficult thing is to begin. A person makes more progress if they do things less quickly. People have a constant desire to possess more. If you depend on just one thing, and it fails you, you will have no alternatives. Words and communication have greater effect than war and fighting. The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested. It's not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it. Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries. People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol. Feed a man well and he will love you. You think that something is true because you want it to be so. There is always one who doesn't behave or perform like the others. There is an established way of doing things.

The darkest hour is just before dawn. The devil looks after his own. The devil makes work for idle hands The die is cast. The early bird catches the worm.

The end justifies the means. The first step is the hardest. The more haste, the less speed. The more you have, the more you want. The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken. The pen is mightier than the sword The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. The tongue wounds more than a lance. The truth is in the wine. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The wish is father to the thought. There is a black sheep in every flock.

There is a trick in every trade.

There is no fool like an old fool. There is safety in numbers Time and tide wait for no man. Time has wings. Time is money. To err is human, to forgive divine Too many cooks spoil the broth. (Humoristic version : Too many clicks spoil the browse!) Too much bed makes a dull head. True friends are tested in adversity. Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth. Truth has no answer. Truth is stranger than fiction. Two wrongs don't make a right

A older person is expected to behave more sensibly. Being in a crowd makes you feel more confident. Delaying a decision will not prevent events from taking place. Time goes by quickly. Time is valuable and should not be wasted. It is human nature to make mistakes, therefore one should forgive. If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly. If you sleep too much, you are not able to think clearly. It's when you have problems that you realize who your real friends are. Be careful of the reaction of animals. You cannot argue against facts or refute what is true. Events in real life are sometimes stranger than in fiction. It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you. A group has more force than an individual. A person who doesn't want to do something always finds a reason to avoid it. Doing a lot of different things makes life more interesting. You should not expect praise for acting in a correct or moral way. Be careful. People could be listening. If you never waste anything, you will have it when you need it. If a person doesn't know about something, it cannot hurt them. People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol. People are less discreet under the influence of alcohol. People misbehave when their boss, or the person in authority, is absent. You should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting, and behave in the same way.

Union is strength. Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.

Variety is the spice of life. Virtue is its own reward.

Walls have ears. Waste not, want not. What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over. What a man says drunk, he thinks sober. What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals. When the cat's away, the mice play. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

When poverty come in the door, love goes out the window. Where there's life there's hope.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Who makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolves. Wisdom is better than strength. Wonders will never cease! Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.

A person with determination will find a way of doing something. Possible interpretation: an easily influenced person can be mislead. Expresses surprise at an unexpected pleasure or event (ironic). Worrying over small details can make them seem worse. What you eat has an effect on your wellbeing. You can offer someone an opportunity to do something but you can't force them. A person who is used to doing things a certain way cannot change. Try first before deciding not to do something. You help me and I'll help you.

You are what you eat. You are never too old to learn. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. You never know what you can do until you try. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.