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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cream rises to the top | /krim ˈraɪzɪz tu ðə tɑp/ | The best people or things will eventually be recognized. | Don't worry about the competition—cream rises to the top. |
| Crime does not pay | /kraɪm dʌz nɑt peɪ/ | Criminal activity is not profitable in the long run. | He ended up in prison. Crime does not pay. |
| Criss-cross, applesauce | /krɪs krɔs, ˈæpəlˌsɔs/ | A phrase used to instruct children to sit cross-legged. | The teacher said, 'Sit criss-cross, applesauce.' |
| Cross the stream where it is shallowest | /krɔs ðə strim wɛr ɪt ɪz ˈʃæloʊɪst/ | Take the easiest or safest path to achieve something. | When solving problems, cross the stream where it is shallowest. |
| Curiosity killed the cat | /ˌkjʊriˈɑsɪti kɪld ðə kæt/ | Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble. | Don't ask about his past. Curiosity killed the cat. |
| Cut the head off the snake (see Lernaean Hydra myth) | /kʌt ðə hɛd ɔf ðə sneɪk/ | Eliminate the leader to destroy an organization. | To stop the cartel, cut the head off the snake. |
| Cut your coat according to your cloth | /kʌt jɔr koʊt əˈkɔrdɪŋ tu jɔr klɔθ/ | Live within your means; adapt to your resources. | We can't afford a big house—we must cut our coat according to our cloth. |
| Dead men tell no tales | /dɛd mɛn tɛl noʊ teɪlz/ | Killing someone ensures they cannot reveal secrets. | The villain said, 'Dead men tell no tales.' |
| Denial is not a river in Egypt | /dɪˈnaɪəl ɪz nɑt ə ˈrɪvər ɪn ˈidʒɪpt/ | Refusing to accept reality is not a geographical location; it's a psychological state. | He thinks he's fine, but denial is not a river in Egypt. |
| Devil take the hindmost | /ˈdɛvəl teɪk ðə ˈhaɪndmoʊst/ | Everyone should look out for themselves; the slow or weak will suffer. | In this competitive market, it's devil take the hindmost. |
| Discretion is the better part of valour | /dɪˈskrɛʃən ɪz ðə ˈbɛtər pɑrt əv ˈvælər/ | It is better to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks. | He decided not to confront the bully. Discretion is the better part of valour. |
| Do as I say, not as I do | /du æz aɪ seɪ, nɑt æz aɪ du/ | Follow my advice, even if I don't follow it myself. | The father smoked while telling his son not to. Do as I say, not as I do. |
| Do as you would be done by | /du æz ju wʊd bi dʌn baɪ/ | Treat others as you wish to be treated (the Golden Rule). | Remember to be kind—do as you would be done by. |
| Do not bite the hand that feeds you | /du nɑt baɪt ðə hænd ðæt fidz ju/ | Do not harm or offend someone who supports you. | He insulted his boss. You shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you. |
| Do not burn your bridges behind you | /du nɑt bɜrn jɔr ˈbrɪdʒɪz bɪˈhaɪnd ju/ | Do not destroy relationships or options for the future. | He quit angrily and insulted everyone. Never burn your bridges behind you. |
| Do not carry coals to Newcastle | /doʊ nɑt ˈkæri koʊlz tə ˈnuːkæsəl/ | Do not take something to a place where it is already plentiful. | Bringing ice to Antarctica is like carrying coals to Newcastle. |
| Do not cast your pearls before swine | /doʊ nɑt kæst jɔr pɜrlz bɪˈfɔr swaɪn/ | Do not offer something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate it. | Q: Should I explain the joke to him? A: No, don't cast your pearls before swine. |
| Do not change horses in midstream | /doʊ nɑt tʃeɪndʒ ˈhɔrsɪz ɪn ˈmɪdstrim/ | Do not make major changes in the middle of a process. | We're halfway through the project; let's not change horses in midstream. |
| Do not count your chickens before they are hatched | /doʊ nɑt kaʊnt jɔr ˈtʃɪkɪnz bɪˈfɔr ðeɪ ɑr hætʃt/ | Do not assume success before it actually happens. | Q: I'm going to spend the prize money. A: Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. |
| Do not cross the bridge till you come to it | /doʊ nɑt krɔs ðə brɪdʒ tɪl ju kʌm tə ɪt/ | Do not worry about future problems before they arise. | Q: What if the flight is canceled? A: Don't cross that bridge till you come to it. |
| Do not cry over spilled milk | /doʊ nɑt kraɪ ˈoʊvər spɪld mɪlk/ | Do not be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. | I know you failed the test, but don't cry over spilled milk. |
| Do not cut off your nose to spite your face | /doʊ nɑt kʌt ɔf jɔr noʊz tə spaɪt jɔr feɪs/ | Do not act out of revenge in a way that harms yourself more. | Quitting your job to get back at your boss is cutting off your nose to spite your face. |
| Do not dish it if you can't take it | /doʊ nɑt dɪʃ ɪt ɪf ju kænt teɪk ɪt/ | Do not criticize others if you cannot handle criticism yourself. | Q: He keeps teasing me. A: Well, he dishes it but can't take it. |
| Do not judge a book by its cover | /doʊ nɑt dʒʌdʒ ə bʊk baɪ ɪts ˈkʌvər/ | Do not judge someone or something based solely on appearance. | He looks scruffy, but don't judge a book by its cover; he's a genius. |
| Do not keep a dog and bark yourself | /doʊ nɑt kip ə dɔɡ ænd bɑrk jɔrˈsɛlf/ | Do not do work that you have hired someone else to do. | You hired a manager, so let him handle it; don't keep a dog and bark yourself. |
