Idioms, adages, and proverbs

Idioms: A phrase that means something else than the literal words in the phrase

For example: After going to the zoo, the mall, and the movies, Cassie was sick of bending over backwards to entertain her nieces. In this sentence, the phrase “bending over backwards” means that Cassie was trying very hard to entertain her nieces.

Another example: Bobby would have been playing ball until the cows came home if it hadn’t been for Suzie dragging him away to eat dinner. In this sentence, “until the cows came home” means…

Bobby would have continued playing ball for a long time.

What is the meaning of the following idioms… We have to tighten our belts and follow our budgets if we want to take a trip this year. Be more careful with money Move the buckles over a notch

Looking for something in Brent’s messy room is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Something sharp and pointy Something hard to find

I was worried we wouldn’t get to the game on time, but we arrived at the eleventh hour. At eleven o’clock At the last minute

Phrases that give useful advice or teach a lesson. proverbs Phrases that give useful advice or teach a lesson.

For example: Every cloud has a silver lining For example: Every cloud has a silver lining. This means: When a bad thing happens, there is always a positive aspect to it.

What does the following proverb mean: Half a loaf is better than no bread.

You should be happy with what you have, even if it is less than what you want.

Make hay while the sun shines means… The proverb: Make hay while the sun shines means… Work hard while you can.

Match the following proverbs to their meanings… Where there's a will there's a way A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar a person’s attitude or thinking for a lifetime. A burnt child dreads fire When a person really wants to do something, they will find a way of doing it. First come, first served If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do. A friend in need is a friend indeed A friend who helps when one is in a lot of trouble is a real friend. Discretion is the better part of valor The first in line will be seen to first.

Adages: An adage is a saying that is believed to be true because people have said it and believed it for a long time. An adage is different from a proverb because an adage does not give useful advice, rather, it is more of an observation that things tend to be a certain way.

No pain, no gain. Means… You can’t accomplish anything without effort. For example: No pain, no gain. Means… You can’t accomplish anything without effort.

Don’t take losing too hard, or winning too seriously. Another example: You win some, you lose some. Means… Don’t take losing too hard, or winning too seriously.

Adage or proverb: Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. PROVERB What does it mean?

Teaching a person to take care of himself does more for him than charity.

ADAGE Good things come in small packages. What does it mean? Proverb or adage: Good things come in small packages. ADAGE What does it mean? Don’t judge how good something will be by how big it is.  

Now it’s your turn to practice. Take time to answer the questions on the worksheet about idioms, proverbs, and adages. We will review them in class.