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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The more things change, the more they stay the same | /ðə mɔr θɪŋz tʃeɪndʒ, ðə mɔr ðeɪ steɪ ðə seɪm/ | Despite apparent changes, underlying realities remain unchanged. | New management, same problems—the more things change, the more they stay the same. |
| The nail that sticks out gets hammered down | /ðə neɪl ðæt stɪks aʊt gɛts ˈhæmərd daʊn/ | People who stand out or are different are often criticized or suppressed. | He was punished for his innovative ideas—the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. |
| The old wooden spoon beats me down | /ði oʊld ˈwʊdən spun bits mi daʊn/ | A traditional punishment or hardship wears one out. | Q: Why are you so tired? A: The old wooden spoon beats me down. |
| The only way to find a friend is to be one | /ði ˈoʊnli weɪ tu faɪnd ə frɛnd ɪz tu bi wʌn/ | To have friends, you must be friendly and supportive yourself. | Q: How can I make more friends? A: The only way to find a friend is to be one. |
| The only way to understand a woman is to love her | /ði ˈoʊnli weɪ tu ˌʌndərˈstænd ə ˈwʊmən ɪz tu lʌv hɜr/ | Love is necessary to truly comprehend a woman's nature. | Q: Why does she act that way? A: The only way to understand a woman is to love her. |
| The pen is mightier than the sword | /ðə pɛn ɪz ˈmaɪtiər ðæn ðə sɔrd/ | Writing and ideas have more power than violence. | The article changed public opinion. The pen is mightier than the sword. |
| The pot calling the kettle black | /ðə pɑt ˈkɔlɪŋ ðə ˈkɛtəl blæk/ | Criticizing someone for a fault you also have. | He called her lazy—that's the pot calling the kettle black. |
| The proof of the pudding is in the eating | /ðə pruf əv ðə ˈpʊdɪŋ ɪz ɪn ði ˈitɪŋ/ | The true value of something is shown by practical experience. | Q: Is this recipe good? A: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. |
| The rich get richer and the poor get poorer | /ðə rɪtʃ gɛt ˈrɪtʃər ænd ðə pʊr gɛt ˈpʊrər/ | Wealth tends to accumulate for the wealthy while the poor become more impoverished. | Q: Why is inequality increasing? A: The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. |
| The road to Hell is paved with good intentions | /ðə roʊd tu hɛl ɪz peɪvd wɪð gʊd ɪnˈtɛnʃənz/ | Good intentions don't guarantee good outcomes; inaction can lead to failure. | He meant to help, but never did—the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. |
| The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot | /ðə ˈʃumeɪkərz sʌn ˈɔlweɪz goʊz ˈbɛrfʊt/ | People often neglect their own needs while serving others. | My dentist has terrible teeth—the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot. |
| The squeaky wheel gets the grease | /ðə ˈskwiːki wiːl ɡɛts ðə ɡriːs/ | The person who complains the loudest gets attention or help. | Q: Why did Tom get his computer fixed first? A: The squeaky wheel gets the grease—he complained nonstop. |
| The squeaky wheel gets the oil | /ðə ˈskwiki wil gɛts ði ɔɪl/ | The most vocal or problematic person gets attention or help. | Q: Why does he always get served first? A: The squeaky wheel gets the oil. |
| The streets are paved with gold | /ðə strits ɑr peɪvd wɪθ goʊld/ | A place (often a city) is believed to offer easy wealth and opportunity. | He moved to New York thinking the streets are paved with gold. |
| The truth will set you free | /ðə truθ wɪl sɛt ju fri/ | Being honest, even if difficult, brings liberation from guilt or problems. | Q: Should I confess? A: The truth will set you free. |
| The way to a man's heart is through his stomach | /ðə weɪ tu ə mænz hɑrt ɪz θru hɪz ˈstʌmək/ | Cooking delicious food is a way to win a man's affection. | She baked his favorite pie—the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. |
| The work praises the man. | /ðə wɜrk ˈpreɪzɪz ðə mæn/ | A person's work reflects their character and skill. | Q: How do you know he's talented? A: The work praises the man. |
| There ain't no such thing as a free lunch | /ðɛr eɪnt noʊ sʌtʃ θɪŋ æz ə fri lʌntʃ/ | Nothing is truly free; everything has a cost. | Q: They're offering free money! A: There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. |
| There are always more fish in the sea | /ðɛr ɑr ˈɔlweɪz mɔr fɪʃ ɪn ðə si/ | After a romantic breakup, there are many other potential partners available. | After his girlfriend left him, his friends said, 'Don't worry, there are always more fish in the sea.' |
| There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream | /ðɛr ɑr mɔr weɪz əv ˈkɪlɪŋ ə kæt ðən ˈtʃoʊkɪŋ ɪt wɪθ krim/ | There are many ways to achieve a goal, not just one obvious method. | Q: How can we solve this? A: There are more ways of killing a cat than choking it with cream. |
| There are none so blind as those who will not see – attributed variously to Edmund Burke or George Santayana | /ðɛr ɑr nʌn soʊ blaɪnd æz ðoʊz hu wɪl nɑt si/ | People who refuse to accept the truth are the most ignorant. | He ignored all evidence—there are none so blind as those who will not see. |
| There are none so deaf as those who will not hear | /ðɛr ɑr nʌn soʊ dɛf æz ðoʊz hu wɪl nɑt hɪr/ | People who refuse to listen are the hardest to reach. | I tried to warn him, but there are none so deaf as those who will not hear. |
| There are two sides to every question | /ðɛr ɑr tu saɪdz tu ˈɛvri ˈkwɛstʃən/ | Every issue has multiple perspectives. | Q: Who is right? A: There are two sides to every question. |
| There but for the grace of God go I | /ðɛr bʌt fɔr ðə greɪs əv gɑd goʊ aɪ/ | I could have suffered the same misfortune as someone else if not for luck or divine mercy. | Seeing my friend lose his job made me think, 'There but for the grace of God go I.' |
| There is an exception to every rule | /ðɛr ɪz ən ɪkˈsɛpʃən tu ˈɛvəri rul/ | No rule applies in all cases; there is always at least one instance where it does not hold. | Q: 'I thought you never eat dessert.' A: 'Well, there is an exception to every rule—this is my birthday!' |
