Proverbs and Sayings

Don’t upset the apple cart

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English proverb “Don’t upset the apple cart“? Read the conversation below. Can you guess the meaning?

Natalie: I’m going to suggest a new way of working in the meeting tomorrow. I think people will work better and faster if they try my way of working.

Greg: Don’t upset the apple cart. Everyone has been working here longer than you. They don’t like change. The last time someone suggested a change in the way of working, it caused a lot of problems. The boss is happy with the way we work now.

Does it mean

a) Don’t disturb things. Leave things as they are

b) Don’t damage the apples

c) Don’t make people angry

d) Don’t upset the boss

The answer is below　↓

Answer: a) Don’t disturb things. Leave things as they are

 

Fortune favours…

/ italkyoutalk

Fortune favours…. This is the beginning of a famous English proverb. Can you complete it?

Fortune favours

a) the bold

b) the weak

c) the rich

d) the poor

The answer is below! ↓

Answer: a) the bold

Fortune favours the bold means if you take risks or are courageous, you are more likely to be rewarded. So maybe it is a good idea to do the things that scare you!

There’s no time like the present

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English phrase “there’s no time like the present”? Can you guess the meaning?

Dave: I want to write a novel, but I’m busy, so maybe I will start writing it next year.

Kev: If you wait, you will never write it. There ‘s no time like the present! 

Does it mean

a) time is a gift

b) do something now

c) use your time wisely

d) our biggest gift is time

The answer is below! ↓

 

Answer:

b) do something now

Best thing since sliced bread

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the English phrase “the best thing since sliced bread“? Look at the conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

Naomi: I really like our new oven. It has so many functions, and I can make so many things in it!

Greg: I love it too. It’s the best thing since sliced bread!

Does it mean:

a) a good invention 

b) a good bread maker

c) a good kitchen appliance

d) a good bread slicer

The answer is below!↓

 

 

 

Answer: a) a good invention

 

You can’t judge a book by its cover

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the famous English saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover“?

Look at the conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

Nina: When I first saw Kelly, I didn’t have a good impression of her. But after talking to her, I realised she is a very nice person.

Anna: You can’t judge a book by its cover!

Does it mean…

a) the cover of a book is not important

b) you can never really know someone

c) you cannot know about a person or thing just by looking at the person or thing

d) you cannot know if someone is nice until you become friends with them

The answer is below　↓

33-1232659027iDxr

Answer:

c) you cannot know about a person or thing just by looking at the person or thing

Look before you…

/ italkyoutalk

Can you complete this famous English saying?

Look before you…

a) leap

b) run

c) swim

d) dive

The answer is below! ↓

jumping-jack

Answer:

a) leap 

(leap = jump)

The phrase means think about the dangers or consequences of doing something before you do it!

The grass is always greener on the other side

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the phrase “the grass is always greener on the other side“?

Look at this conversation. Can you guess the meaning?

Fred: I heard that Julie is going to change jobs again! This is the 6th time she has changed jobs this year!

Louise: I heard that too. She always thinks the grass is greener on the other side!

Does it mean

a) the other side has greener grass

b) people are never satisfied with their situation. They always think another situation is better

c) people enjoy going to different places and doing different things

d) people think that changing jobs often is a good thing

The answer is below　↓

 

Answer:

b) people are never satisfied with their situation. They always think another situation is better

 

 

A little bird told me…

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the phrase “a little bird told me“?

Look at these examples. Can you guess the meaning?

Example 1:

A: I heard you were looking for a new job.

B: How do you know? Who told you?!

A: A little bird told me. 

Example 2:

A: A little bird told me that it’s your birthday next week.

B: Yes, it is, but I don’t want anyone to know!

 

Does “a little bird told me” mean

a) a bird told me something.

b) someone told me something, but I don’t want to say who told me.

c) there is a rumour

 

Then answer is below. ↓

snowy-egret

 

 

 

Answer: b) someone told me something, but I don’t want to say who told me.

We use “a little bird told me” when we don’t want to say who gave us the secret/private information. 🙂

too big for (one’s) boots

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the idiom “too big for (one’s) boots“? Can you guess the meaning?

Example.

A: Paula used to be really nice, but she has changed recently.

B: I think so too. Since she became captain of the hockey team, she has been getting too big for her boots.

A: I don’t know why. It’s only a small, local team. She acts like she is captain of the national team!

 

Does “too big for (one’s) boots” mean

a) have big feet

b) behave in an arrogant manner, like one is very important or special

c) behave in a confident and friendly manner

d) be too talkative

The answer is below!　↓

football-boots

 

 

 

Answer: b) behave in an arrogant manner, like one is very important or special 🙂

Every cloud has a silver lining

/ italkyoutalk

Do you know the proverb “Every cloud has a silver lining“?

Can you guess what it means?

Example:

A: Teresa lost her job at the post office. She was very upset at first, but now she has found a better job at the bank.

B: Well, every cloud has a silver lining!

 

Does it mean

a) bad things happen to good people

b) good things happen to unlucky people

c) something good comes out of a bad situation

d) something bad comes out of a good situation

The answer is below!　↓

clouds-110661299948507xJ3

 

 

Answer: c) something good comes out of a bad situation 🙂