Some expressions stick around for centuries — and for good reason. This collection of around 728 common English proverbs pulls together the sayings you’ve probably heard in movies, conversations, and maybe even from your grandma.
Inside the interactive table, you’ll find each proverb with a clear meaning, a realistic example sentence, easy-to-read IPA pronunciation, and a play button so you can hear it spoken aloud. When you’re ready to take the list offline, just click the PDF download button sitting below the table — it’s completely free.
Proverbs are powerful because they pack a lot of meaning into few words. Knowing them helps you sound more natural and understand cultural references. Work through a few each day, or use the search and sort features to focus on ones that match your mood.
Want to move from knowing proverbs to speaking with confidence? Our free chunk-based English lessons teach you the phrases people actually use in real conversations — not just textbook lines. Start with Lesson 1 — First Greetings, or explore the full intro to lessons if you’re looking for a guided path.
English Proverbs Quiz
Before you dive in, try the quick quiz below to see how many proverbs you already have under your belt. It’s a fun way to warm up.
English Proverbs List with Meanings
| Expression | IPA | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| If wealth is lost, nothing is lost. If health is lost, something is lost. If character is lost, everything is lost | ɪf wɛlθ ɪz lɔst, ˈnʌθɪŋ ɪz lɔst. ɪf hɛlθ ɪz lɔst, ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪz lɔst. ɪf ˈkɛrɪktər ɪz lɔst, ˈɛvriθɪŋ ɪz lɔst | Character is more important than wealth or health. | He lost his job but kept his integrity. Remember: if wealth is lost, nothing is lost; if health is lost, something is lost; if character is lost, everything is lost. |
| If wishes were horses, beggars would ride | ɪf ˈwɪʃɪz wɜr ˈhɔrsɪz, ˈbɛɡərz wʊd raɪd | Wishing alone does not make things happen. | I wish I were rich. Well, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. |
| If you can't be good, be careful | ɪf ju kænt bi ɡʊd, bi ˈkɛrfəl | If you misbehave, at least avoid getting caught or hurt. | Q: Should I sneak out? A: If you can't be good, be careful. |
| If you can't beat them, join them | /ɪf ju kænt biːt ðɛm, dʒɔɪn ðɛm/ | If you can't overcome opposition, it's better to cooperate. | The other team was too strong, so we merged. If you can't beat them, join them. |
| If you can't live longer, live deeper | ɪf ju kænt lɪv ˈlɔŋɡər, lɪv ˈdipər | Make life meaningful rather than just long. | She traveled and learned new skills. If you can't live longer, live deeper. |
| If you can't run with the horses, get off the track | ɪf ju kænt rʌn wɪð ðə ˈhɔrsɪz, ɡɛt ɔf ðə træk | If you can't keep up, step aside. | He couldn't handle the fast pace, so he quit. If you can't run with the horses, get off the track. |
| If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen | ɪf ju kænt stænd ðə hit, ɡɛt aʊt əv ðə ˈkɪtʃɪn | If you can't handle pressure, leave the situation. | The manager told him, 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.' |
| If you give a mouse a cookie, he'll always ask for a glass of milk | ɪf ju ɡɪv ə maʊs ə ˈkʊki, hil ˈɔlweɪz æsk fɔr ə ɡlæs əv mɪlk | One favor leads to another request. | I helped him once, and now he keeps asking for more. If you give a mouse a cookie, he'll always ask for a glass of milk. |
| If you have never seen the bottom of the tree, you cannot know how tall it stands | ɪf ju hæv ˈnɛvər sin ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə tri, ju ˈkænɑt noʊ haʊ tɔl ɪt stændz | Understanding the foundation is key to appreciating the whole. | You need to study the basics first. If you have never seen the bottom of the tree, you cannot know how tall it stands. |
| If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas (James Sandford, _The Garden of Pleasure_) | ɪf ju laɪ daʊn wɪð dɔɡz, ju wɪl ɡɛt ʌp wɪð fliz | Bad company brings trouble. | Hanging out with troublemakers got him arrested. If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas. |
| If you must dance with the Devil, you might as well know his favorite song (H. Anthony Ribadeneira) | ɪf ju mʌst dæns wɪð ðə ˈdɛvəl, ju maɪt æz wɛl noʊ hɪz ˈfeɪvərɪt sɔŋ | If you engage with evil, be prepared. | He negotiated with a corrupt official. If you must dance with the Devil, you might as well know his favorite song. |
| If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys | ɪf ju peɪ ˈpinʌts, ju ɡɛt ˈmʌŋkiz | Low pay attracts unskilled workers. | The company hired cheap labor and got poor results. If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. |
| If you play with fire, you will get burned | ɪf ju pleɪ wɪð faɪr, ju wɪl ɡɛt bɜrnd | Taking risks leads to consequences. | He invested in a risky scheme and lost everything. If you play with fire, you will get burned. |
| If you steal from one author, it is plagiarism; if you steal from many, it is research (Wilson Mizner (1876–1933), American writer and entrepreneur) | ɪf ju stil frəm wʌn ˈɔθər, ɪt ɪz ˈpleɪdʒəˌrɪzəm; ɪf ju stil frəm ˈmɛni, ɪt ɪz rɪˈsɜrtʃ | Taking from many sources is seen as research, not theft. | He copied from several books and called it research. If you steal from one author, it is plagiarism; if you steal from many, it is research. |
| If you think that you know everything, then you're a Jack ass | ɪf ju θɪŋk ðæt ju noʊ ˈɛvriθɪŋ, ðɛn jʊr ə dʒæk æs | Arrogance makes you look foolish. | He claimed to know it all, but he failed. If you think that you know everything, then you're a jackass. |
| If you want a thing done well, do it yourself | ɪf ju wɑnt ə θɪŋ dʌn wɛl, du ɪt jɔrˈsɛlf | To ensure quality, do it personally. | I rewrote the report myself. If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. |
| If you're growing in age, then you're nearing to the graveyard | ɪf jʊr ˈgroʊɪŋ ɪn eɪdʒ, ðɛn jʊr ˈnɪrɪŋ tə ðə ˈɡreɪvjɑrd | Aging reminds us of mortality. | He joked, 'If you're growing in age, then you're nearing to the graveyard.' |
| If you've got it, flaunt it | ɪf juv ɡɑt ɪt, flɔnt ɪt | Show off your talents or assets. | She wore a designer dress to the party. If you've got it, flaunt it. |
| Ignorance is bliss | /ˈɪɡnərəns ɪz blɪs/ | Not knowing something can be more comfortable than knowing the truth. | He didn't know about the problem, so he was happy. Ignorance is bliss. |
| Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery | /ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən ɪz ðə sɪnˈsɪrɪst fɔrm ʌv ˈflætəri/ | Copying someone shows admiration. | She copied my hairstyle. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. |
| In for a penny, in for a pound | ɪn fɔr ə ˈpɛni, ɪn fɔr ə paʊnd | Once committed, see it through fully. | I already invested time, so I'll finish the project. In for a penny, in for a pound. |
| In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed man is king | ɪn ðə ˈkɪŋdəm əv ðə blaɪnd, ðə wʌn aɪd mæn ɪz kɪŋ | Among those with less ability, even a small advantage makes you superior. | He was the only one who could read, so he became leader. In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. |
| In the midst of life, we are in death | ɪn ðə mɪdst əv laɪf, wi ɑr ɪn dɛθ | Death can happen at any time, even during life. | The sudden accident reminded us: in the midst of life, we are in death. |
| Into every life a little rain must fall | ˈɪntu ˈɛvri laɪf ə ˈlɪtəl reɪn mʌst fɔl | Everyone experiences hardship. | She lost her job, but she'll recover. Into every life a little rain must fall. |
| Islands depend on reeds, just as reeds depend on islands (Myanmar proverbs) | Everything and everyone is interconnected and mutually dependent. | Q: Why should we care about the small businesses in our town? A: Islands depend on reeds, just as reeds depend on islands. The local economy thrives when we support each other. |
