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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men get spoiled by staying, women get spoiled by wandering | /mɛn gɛt spɔɪld baɪ ˈsteɪɪŋ, ˈwɪmɪn gɛt spɔɪld baɪ ˈwɑndərɪŋ/ | Men become lazy if they stay home too much, women become discontent if they travel too much. | He never leaves the house; men get spoiled by staying. |
| Might is right | /maɪt ɪz raɪt/ | Those who are powerful can do what they want. | The bully took his lunch; might is right. |
| Might makes right | /maɪt meɪks raɪt/ | Power justifies any action. | The dictator seized control; might makes right. |
| Mighty oaks from little acorns grow | /ˈmaɪti oʊks frʌm ˈlɪtəl ˈeɪkɔrnz groʊ/ | Great things can start from small beginnings. | Her small blog became a major website. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow. |
| Milking the bull | /ˈmɪlkɪŋ ðə bʊl/ | Trying to get something from a source that cannot provide it. | Asking him for money is like milking the bull. |
| Misery loves company | /ˈmɪzəri lʌvz ˈkʌmpəni/ | Unhappy people want others to be unhappy too. | He complained all day and wanted me to join. Misery loves company. |
| Moderation in all things | /ˌmɑdəˈreɪʃən ɪn ɔl θɪŋz/ | Avoid extremes; practice balance. | She eats sweets but only a little; moderation in all things. |
| Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace, Wednesday's child is full of woe, Thursday's child has far to go, Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child works hard for its living, and a child that is born on the Sabbath day is fair and wise and good and gay | /ˈmʌndeɪz tʃaɪld ɪz fɛr əv feɪs, ˈtuzdeɪz tʃaɪld ɪz fʊl əv greɪs, ˈwɛnzdeɪz tʃaɪld ɪz fʊl əv woʊ, ˈθɜrzdeɪz tʃaɪld hæz fɑr tu goʊ, ˈfraɪdeɪz tʃaɪld ɪz ˈlʌvɪŋ ænd ˈgɪvɪŋ, ˈsætərdeɪz tʃaɪld wɜrks hɑrd fɔr ɪts ˈlɪvɪŋ, ænd ə tʃaɪld ðæt ɪz bɔrn ɑn ðə ˈsæbəθ deɪ ɪz fɛr ænd waɪz ænd gʊd ænd geɪ/ | A nursery rhyme attributing personality traits to the day of birth. | She was born on Wednesday; according to the rhyme, Wednesday's child is full of woe. |
| Money demands care, you abuse it and it disappears – Rashida Costa | /ˈmʌni dɪˈmændz kɛr, ju əˈbjuz ɪt ænd ɪt ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz/ | Money must be handled wisely or it will be lost. | He spent recklessly and now he's broke; money demands care. |
| Money does not grow on trees | /ˈmʌni dʌz nɑt groʊ ɑn triz/ | Money is limited and not easily obtained. | Stop asking for expensive toys; money doesn't grow on trees. |
| Money earned by deceit, goes by deceit | /ˈmʌni ɜrnd baɪ dɪˈsit, goʊz baɪ dɪˈsit/ | Dishonestly gained money is soon lost dishonestly. | He cheated his way to wealth, but lost it all; money earned by deceit goes by deceit. |
| Money is not everything | /ˈmʌni ɪz nɑt ˈɛvriθɪŋ/ | There are more important things than wealth. | He's rich but unhappy; money is not everything. |
| Money makes many things, but also makes devil dance | /ˈmʌni meɪks ˈmɛni θɪŋz, bʌt ˈɔlsoʊ meɪks ˈdɛvəl dæns/ | Money can cause both good and evil. | He used his wealth for corruption; money makes the devil dance. |
| Money makes the world go around | /ˈmʌni meɪks ðə wɜrld goʊ əˈraʊnd/ | Money is essential for modern life and drives society. | In business, money makes the world go around. |
| Money talks | /ˈmʌni tɔks/ | Wealth gives influence and power. | The rich donor got his way; money talks. |
| More haste, less speed | /mɔr heɪst, lɛs spid/ | Rushing leads to mistakes and slower progress. | He rushed the project and had to redo it; more haste, less speed. |
| Mud sticks | /mʌd stɪks/ | Accusations or slander can permanently damage reputation. | Even after the rumor was disproven, mud sticks. |
| Music has charms to soothe the savage breast | /ˈmjuzɪk hæz tʃɑrmz tu suð ðə ˈsævɪdʒ brɛst/ | Music can calm even the most agitated person. | After a stressful day, she listened to classical music; music has charms to soothe the savage breast. |
| Nature abhors a vacuum | /ˈneɪtʃər æbˈhɔrz ə ˈvækjuəm/ | Empty spaces tend to be filled. | When he left, someone else took his place; nature abhors a vacuum. |
| Nature does not do anything in vain | /ˈneɪtʃər dʌz nɑt du ˈɛniθɪŋ ɪn veɪn/ | Everything in nature has a purpose. | Even the smallest insect has a role; nature does nothing in vain. |
| Necessity is the mother of invention | /nɪˈsɛsɪti ɪz ðə ˈmʌðər ʌv ɪnˈvɛnʃən/ | Difficult situations inspire creative solutions. | When the bridge collapsed, they built a ferry. Necessity is the mother of invention. |
| Needs must when the devil drives | /nidz mʌst wɛn ðə ˈdɛvəl draɪvz/ | Sometimes you must do something unpleasant because you have no choice. | I had to work overtime; needs must when the devil drives. |
| Never cast a clout until May be out | /ˈnɛvər kæst ə klaʊt ənˈtɪl meɪ bi aʊt/ | Don't remove winter clothes until May ends. | It's warm today, but never cast a clout until May is out. |
| Never give a sucker an even break | /ˈnɛvər gɪv ə ˈsʌkər æn ˈivən breɪk/ | Take advantage of gullible people. | The con artist tricked him; never give a sucker an even break. |
| Never give advice unless asked | /ˈnɛvər gɪv ædˈvaɪs ənˈlɛs æskt/ | Unsolicited advice is often unwelcome. | He kept telling me what to do; I wish he'd never give advice unless asked. |
