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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood is thicker than water | /blʌd ɪz ˈθɪkər ðæn ˈwɔtər/ | Family relationships are stronger than others. | He helped his brother despite their fight. Blood is thicker than water. |
| Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth | /bɔrn wɪð ə ˈsɪlvər spun ɪn wʌnz maʊθ/ | Born into a wealthy, privileged family. | He never had to work for anything—he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. |
| Boys will be boys | /bɔɪz wɪl bi bɔɪz/ | Boys (or people) will act in a typically childish or rowdy way. | They were roughhousing again. Oh well, boys will be boys. |
| Brevity is the soul of wit (William Shakespeare) | /ˈbrɛvɪti ɪz ðə soʊl əv wɪt/ | Cleverness is best expressed concisely. | Keep your speech short—brevity is the soul of wit. |
| Business before pleasure | /ˈbɪznəs bɪˈfɔr ˈplɛʒər/ | Work should be done before leisure activities. | I'll finish this report first, then we can go out. Business before pleasure. |
| Buy cheap, buy twice | /baɪ tʃip, baɪ twaɪs/ | Buying inexpensive items often leads to having to buy replacements. | That cheap tool broke already. Buy cheap, buy twice. |
| Buy once, cry once | /baɪ wʌns, kraɪ wʌns/ | It's better to spend more on a high-quality item than to buy cheap and replace often. | I bought the expensive boots that will last years. Buy once, cry once. |
| Caesar's wife must be above suspicion | /ˈsizərz waɪf mʌst bi əˈbʌv səˈspɪʃən/ | People in prominent positions must avoid any appearance of wrongdoing. | The CEO can't even accept a small gift—Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. |
| Calm seas never made a good sailor | /kɑm siz ˈnɛvər meɪd ə ɡʊd ˈseɪlər/ | Adversity builds strength and skill. | He grew stronger from his struggles. Calm seas never made a good sailor. |
| Careless talk costs lives | /ˈkɛrləs tɔk kɔsts laɪvz/ | Loose lips can lead to serious harm, especially in wartime. | During the war, posters warned: careless talk costs lives. |
| Charity begins at home | /ˈtʃɛrɪti bɪˈɡɪnz æt hoʊm/ | You should take care of your family before helping others. | She donates abroad but ignores her needy cousin. Charity begins at home. |
| Cheats never prosper | /tʃits ˈnɛvər ˈprɑspər/ | Dishonest people do not achieve lasting success. | He got caught eventually. Cheats never prosper. |
| Cheese, wine, and friends must be old to be good. | /tʃiz, waɪn, ænd frɛndz mʌst bi oʊld tu bi ɡʊd/ | Things (and relationships) improve with age. | I value my childhood friends. Cheese, wine, and friends must be old to be good. |
| Children should be seen and not heard | /ˈtʃɪldrən ʃʊd bi sin ænd nɑt hɜrd/ | Children should be quiet and not interrupt adults. | In the old days, children should be seen and not heard. |
| Christmas comes but once a year | /ˈkrɪsməs kʌmz bʌt wʌns ə jɪr/ | It's okay to indulge occasionally because the occasion is rare. | Have another cookie—Christmas comes but once a year. |
| Civility costs nothing and buys everything (Mary Wortley Montagu) | /sɪˈvɪlɪti kɔsts ˈnʌθɪŋ ænd baɪz ˈɛvriθɪŋ/ | Being polite is free and can gain you much. | He thanked everyone and got promoted. Civility costs nothing and buys everything. |
| Cleanliness is next to godliness | /ˈklɛnlinɪs ɪz nɛkst tu ˈɡɑdlinɪs/ | Being clean is a virtue close to spiritual purity. | He always washes his hands before meals. Cleanliness is next to godliness. |
| Clothes don't make the man | /kloʊz doʊnt meɪk ðə mæn/ | A person's character is not judged by their clothing. | He may dress shabbily, but clothes don't make the man. |
| Clothes make the man | /kloʊz meɪk ðə mæn/ | People are judged by their appearance and attire. | He wore a suit to the interview—clothes make the man. |
| Coffee and love taste best when hot (Ethiopian proverb) | /ˈkɔfi ænd lʌv teɪst bɛst wɛn hɑt/ | Freshness and passion are best enjoyed immediately. | Don't let your relationship grow cold. Coffee and love taste best when hot. |
| Cold hands, warm heart | /koʊld hændz, wɔrm hɑrt/ | Someone with cold hands is often affectionate. | She grabbed my icy hand and smiled. Cold hands, warm heart. |
| Comparisons are odious | /kəmˈpɛrɪsənz ɑr ˈoʊdiəs/ | Comparing people or things is unpleasant and often unfair. | Don't compare your kids—comparisons are odious. |
| Count your blessings | /kaʊnt jɔr ˈblɛsɪŋz/ | Be grateful for what you have. | Instead of complaining, count your blessings. |
| Courage is the measure of a Man, Beauty is the measure of a Woman | /ˈkɜrɪdʒ ɪz ðə ˈmɛʒər əv ə mæn, ˈbjuti ɪz ðə ˈmɛʒər əv ə ˈwʊmən/ | Men are valued for bravery, women for appearance (traditional view). | He proved his bravery, and she her beauty. Courage is the measure of a man, beauty is the measure of a woman. |
| Cowards may die many times before their death | /ˈkaʊərdz meɪ daɪ ˈmɛni taɪmz bɪˈfɔr ðɛr dɛθ/ | Fearful people suffer the agony of death repeatedly in their minds. | He was so anxious about the surgery. Cowards may die many times before their death. |
