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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easier said than done | /ˈiziər sɛd ðæn dʌn/ | Something is easier to talk about than to actually do. | Q: Just relax. A: Easier said than done. |
| East is east, and west is west (and never the twain shall meet) | /ist ɪz ist ænd wɛst ɪz wɛst ænd ˈnɛvər ðə tweɪn ʃæl mit/ | Two things are fundamentally different and cannot be reconciled. | Their cultures are so different; east is east, and west is west. |
| East, west, home is best | /ist wɛst hoʊm ɪz bɛst/ | No matter where you go, home is the best place. | After traveling for months, I agree: east, west, home is best. |
| Easy come, easy go | /ˈizi kʌm ˈizi ɡoʊ/ | Something obtained easily is also easily lost. | He won money and spent it all; easy come, easy go. |
| Easy, times easy, is still easy | /ˈizi taɪmz ˈizi ɪz stɪl ˈizi/ | Something simple remains simple even when repeated. | Q: Is the task still simple? A: Easy times easy is still easy. |
| Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper | /it ˈbrɛkfəst laɪk ə kɪŋ lʌntʃ laɪk ə prɪns ænd ˈdɪnər laɪk ə ˈpɔpər/ | Eat a large breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a small dinner for health. | Q: What's your diet? A: Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. |
| Eat, drink and be merry, (for tomorrow we die) | /it drɪŋk ænd bi ˈmɛri fɔr təˈmɑroʊ wi daɪ/ | Enjoy life now because death is inevitable. | Q: Why are you partying so much? A: Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. |
| Empty vessels make the most noise | /ˈɛmpti ˈvɛsəlz meɪk ðə moʊst nɔɪz/ | People with little knowledge talk the most. | He talks endlessly but knows little. Empty vessels make the most noise. |
| Enough is as good as a feast | /ɪˈnʌf ɪz æz ɡʊd æz ə fist/ | Having enough is as satisfying as having plenty. | Q: Do you want more food? A: No, enough is as good as a feast. |
| Even a worm will turn | /ˈivən ə wɜrm wɪl tɜrn/ | Even the meekest person will retaliate if pushed too far. | He finally fought back; even a worm will turn. |
| Even from a foe a man may learn wisdom | /ˈivən frʌm ə foʊ ə mæn meɪ lɜrn ˈwɪzdəm/ | You can learn something valuable even from an enemy. | Q: Why listen to his criticism? A: Even from a foe a man may learn wisdom. |
| Every cloud has a silver lining | /ˈɛvri klaʊd hæz ə ˈsɪlvər ˈlaɪnɪŋ/ | There is something good in every bad situation. | I lost my job, but I found a better one. Every cloud has a silver lining. |
| Every dog has his day | /ˈɛvri dɔɡ hæz hɪz deɪ/ | Everyone will have a moment of success or good fortune. | Q: He finally won. A: Every dog has his day. |
| Every Jack has his Jill | /ˈɛvri dʒæk hæz hɪz dʒɪl/ | Everyone will find a suitable partner. | Q: Will he ever find love? A: Every Jack has his Jill. |
| Every little bit helps | /ˈɛvri ˈlɪtəl bɪt hɛlps/ | Even small contributions are useful. | Q: I only donated $5. A: Every little bit helps. |
| Every man for himself (and the Devil take the hindmost) | /ˈɛvri mæn fɔr hɪmˈsɛlf ænd ðə ˈdɛvəl teɪk ðə ˈhaɪndmoʊst/ | In a crisis, everyone looks out for themselves. | When the ship started sinking, it was every man for himself. |
| Every man has his price | /ˈɛvri mæn hæz hɪz praɪs/ | Everyone can be bribed or persuaded with the right offer. | Q: He refused the money. A: Every man has his price; maybe offer more. |
| Every picture tells a story | /ˈɛvri ˈpɪktʃər tɛlz ə ˈstɔri/ | A picture can convey a lot of information. | Q: What does this photo mean? A: Every picture tells a story. |
| Every stick has two ends | /ˈɛvri stɪk hæz tu ɛndz/ | Every situation has two sides or consequences. | Q: Is this deal good? A: Every stick has two ends; consider the risks. |
| Every tide has its ebb | /ˈɛvri taɪd hæz ɪts ɛb/ | Every good situation will eventually decline. | Q: Business is booming. A: Enjoy it; every tide has its ebb. |
| Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die | /ˈɛvriˌbɑdi wɑnts tə ɡoʊ tə ˈhɛvən bət ˈnoʊˌbɑdi wɑnts tə daɪ/ | People desire rewards but are unwilling to make sacrifices. | Q: He wants success but won't work hard. A: Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die. |
| Everyone has their price | /ˈɛvriˌwʌn hæz ðɛr praɪs/ | Same as 'every man has his price'. | Q: Can we convince him? A: Everyone has their price. |
| Everything comes to those who wait | /ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ kʌmz tə ðoʊz hu weɪt/ | Patience is rewarded. | Q: I've been waiting for a promotion. A: Everything comes to those who wait. |
| Failing to plan is planning to fail | /ˈfeɪlɪŋ tə plæn ɪz ˈplænɪŋ tə feɪl/ | Without planning, you are likely to fail. | Q: Why do we need a schedule? A: Failing to plan is planning to fail. |
| Faint heart never won fair lady | /feɪnt hɑrt ˈnɛvər wʌn fɛr ˈleɪdi/ | Timidity will not achieve a desired goal. | Q: Should I ask her out? A: Faint heart never won fair lady. |
