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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink | /juː kæn liːd ə hɔːrs tuː ˈwɔːtər, bʌt juː ˈkænɒt meɪk ɪt drɪŋk/ | You can provide opportunities, but you cannot force someone to take them. | I gave him all the resources to learn, but he didn't study. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink. |
| You can never/never can tell | /juː kæn ˈnɛvər/ˈnɛvər kæn tɛl/ | The future is uncertain; anything can happen. | It might rain tomorrow, but you can never tell. |
| You cannot always get what you want | /juː ˈkænɒt ˈɔːlweɪz ɡɛt wʌt juː wɒnt/ | Life doesn't always give you what you desire; accept disappointment. | I wanted the promotion, but it went to someone else. You cannot always get what you want. |
| You cannot burn a candle at both ends. | /juː ˈkænɒt bɜːrn ə ˈkændəl æt boʊθ ɛndz/ | You cannot work too hard without rest; you will exhaust yourself. | She's working two jobs and studying. She'll burn out soon. You cannot burn a candle at both ends. |
| You cannot get blood out of a stone | /juː ˈkænɒt ɡɛt blʌd aʊt ʌv ə stoʊn/ | You cannot get something from someone who has none to give. | I tried to get him to pay, but he's broke. You cannot get blood out of a stone. |
| You cannot have your cake and eat it too | /juː ˈkænɒt hæv jɔːr keɪk ænd iːt ɪt tuː/ | You cannot have two incompatible things at the same time; you must choose. | He wants a high salary and lots of free time. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. |
| You cannot make a silk purse from a sow's ear | /juː ˈkænɒt meɪk ə sɪlk pɜːrs frʌm ə saʊz ɪr/ | You cannot turn something of poor quality into something fine. | That old car will never be a luxury vehicle. You cannot make a silk purse from a sow's ear. |
| You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs | /juː ˈkænɒt meɪk ən ˈɒmlɪt wɪˈðaʊt ˈbreɪkɪŋ ɛɡz/ | To achieve something, you must accept some damage or sacrifice. | Laying off workers was hard, but the company had to cut costs. You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. |
| You cannot make bricks without straw | /juː ˈkænɒt meɪk brɪks wɪˈðaʊt strɔː/ | You cannot do a job without the necessary materials. | We can't build the shed without wood. You cannot make bricks without straw. |
| You cannot push a rope | /juː ˈkænɒt pʊʃ ə roʊp/ | You cannot force something that is not designed to be forced; some things require a different approach. | Trying to force him to agree is useless. You cannot push a rope. |
| You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds | /juː ˈkænɒt rʌn wɪð ðə hɛr ænd hʌnt wɪð ðə haʊndz/ | You cannot support both sides of a conflict; you must choose one. | He claims to be loyal to both parties, but you cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. |
| You cannot unscramble eggs | /juː ˈkænɒt ʌnˈskræmbəl ɛɡz/ | Once something is done, it cannot be undone. | He already sent the email. You cannot unscramble eggs. |
| You cannot win them all | /juː ˈkænɒt wɪn ðɛm ɔːl/ | You cannot succeed every time; accept failure as part of life. | I lost the game, but you cannot win them all. |
| You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar | /juː kætʃ mɔːr flaɪz wɪð ˈhʌni ðæn wɪð ˈvɪnɪɡər/ | Being kind and polite is more effective than being harsh or rude. | If you want him to help, ask nicely. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. |
| You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain | /juː ˈaɪðər daɪ ə ˈhɪroʊ ɔːr lɪv lɔːŋ ɪˈnʌf tuː siː jɔːrˈsɛlf bɪˈkʌm ðə ˈvɪlən/ | If you stay in power or life long enough, you may eventually do something that makes you seem bad. | The beloved leader eventually became corrupt. You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. |
| You may/might as well be hanged/hung for a sheep as (for) a lamb | /juː meɪ/maɪt æz wɛl biː hæŋd/hʌŋ fɔːr ə ʃiːp æz fɔːr ə læm/ | If the punishment is the same for a small crime as for a big one, you might as well commit the bigger one. | Since I'm already late, I might as well take my time. You may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. |
| You must have rocks in your head | /juː mʌst hæv rɒks ɪn jɔːr hɛd/ | You are foolish or crazy. | You're going to climb that mountain in this weather? You must have rocks in your head. |
| You only live once. | /ju ˈoʊnli lɪv wʌns/ | Life is short, so take risks and enjoy experiences because you won't get a second chance. | Q: Should I quit my job to travel the world? A: You only live once—go for it! |
| You pay your dime and you takes your chances | /juː peɪ jɔːr daɪm ænd juː teɪks jɔːr ˈtʃænsɪz/ | When you spend money or take a risk, you accept the uncertain outcome. | Investing in that startup is risky. You pay your dime and you takes your chances. |
| You pay your money and you take your choice | /juː peɪ jɔːr ˈmʌni ænd juː teɪk jɔːr tʃɔɪs/ | You have the freedom to choose, but you must accept the consequences. | You can buy the cheaper model, but it may break sooner. You pay your money and you take your choice. |
| You scratch my back and I will scratch yours | /juː skrætʃ maɪ bæk ænd aɪ wɪl skrætʃ jɔːrz/ | If you do a favor for me, I will do a favor for you; mutual back-scratching. | If you help me with this report, I'll cover your shift next week. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours. |
| You'll never get if you never go | /jul ˈnɛvər ɡɛt ɪf ju ˈnɛvər ɡoʊ/ | You won't achieve anything unless you take action or take a chance. | Q: I'm afraid to apply for that job overseas. A: You'll never get if you never go—just apply! |
| You're never fully dressed without a smile | /jɔr ˈnɛvər ˈfʊli drɛst wɪˈðaʊt ə smaɪl/ | A smile is the most important accessory; it makes you approachable and attractive. | Q: Why do you always tell me to smile before I leave? A: You're never fully dressed without a smile! |
| You've got to separate the wheat from the chaff | /juv ɡɑt tu ˈsɛpəreɪt ðə wit frʌm ðə tʃæf/ | You must distinguish what is valuable or useful from what is worthless. | Q: How do I choose which job offers to consider? A: You've got to separate the wheat from the chaff—focus on the ones with growth potential. |
| You've made your bed and you must lie in/on it | /juv meɪd jɔr bɛd ænd ju mʌst laɪ ɪn/ɒn ɪt/ | You must accept the consequences of your own actions or decisions. | Q: I regret dropping out of college. A: You've made your bed and you must lie in it—now make the best of it. |
