English Proverbs for discussion
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Bingo!Originally posted by wuming78:qian nen shi gui tui mo? -
For 4th February
Greener Pastures
"I've discovered a way to keep my pastures looking fresh," Mortimer grinned, "and by offerring my cows greener pastures they're happy to stay at home." Greener pastures refers to a place where conditions appear to be better or more livable. "MY cows have disappeared!," one of Mortimer's neighbours complained. "Thats how it is with cows," Mortimer replied. "They probably moved to a greener pastures."
For our Mooku, who is now eating grass off green pastures. -
For 5th February
Grin And Bear It
Skiing down a mountain, Chuck collided with a bear and got trapped underneath it. Known for his cheerful disposition, Chuck wasnt alarmed. "I have a way of looking at misfortune,' he said. "I simply grin and bear it." To grin and bear it is to put up with discomfort or bad situation without complaining. So Chuck's still there grinning and bearing it, waiting for help to arrive.
Lesson. Never 'collide' with our Bear. -
For 6th February
He Who Pays The Piper Calls The Tunes
The meaning behind this saying is that the person who pays for something, has the right to do what he wants. That is, he can call the tune. "Its my party so I can invite anyone I want. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune," Cleo said. -
For 7th February
Hide Your Light Under A Bushel
A bushel is a type of basket used to hold a measure of grain. This saying (its from the Bible) expresses the idea of a modest or shy person concealing his talents, skills or abilities. "Really, Jaime, I didnt know you were such an artist!" his teacher exclaimed. "You shouldnt hide your light under a bushel. You should paint more pictures."
For our Parka who paints marvelous comics pics -
Originally posted by laurence82:
wow. i like this one! abit like feng mang bu lu like tt.
For 7th February
[b]Hide Your Light Under A Bushel
A bushel is a type of basket used to hold a measure of grain. This saying (its from the Bible) expresses the idea of a modest or shy person concealing his talents, skills or abilities. "Really, Jaime, I didnt know you were such an artist!" his teacher exclaimed. "You shouldnt hide your light under a bushel. You should paint more pictures."
For our Parka who paints marvelous comics pics[/b] -
What is feng mang bu lu?Originally posted by wuming78:wow. i like this one! abit like feng mang bu lu like tt.
The next few are nice too, and i never heard them uttered by Singaporeans b4. -
For 8th February
Hitch One's Wagon To A Star
Many years ago travellers used the stars to guide them in the correct direction over land and sea. That led to this expression which means to move forward in a way to improve your chances of achieving success. "I have a goal in life," Teddy said, "and to accomplish it I am going to htich my wagon to a star and spend more time in the library studying my lessons." -
feng1 mang2 bu4 lu4Originally posted by laurence82:What is feng mang bu lu?
The next few are nice too, and i never heard them uttered by Singaporeans b4.
it means literally like a sword is sheathed, and hence its brightness and sharpness is not revealed. -
For 9th February
Home Is Where The Heart Is
No matter where you are, 'home' is where you feel most comfortable and content. It is where you really and truly want to be. "No matter where my steps might lead me, my heart will always ne here with you and my good friends," Albert said. "I know," Officer Mutt said. "Home is where the heart is." -
For 10th February
If Money Is Not Thy Servant It Will Be Thy Master
This proverb - and you are likely to see a number of variations of it - is a caution: use money wisely and you are its master. Use it badly and you become its slave. No one knows better than the King for he has this to say about it: "Money hasnt made me its servant for I am the humble master of all money I collect from my subjects!" -
For 11th February
If The mountain Will Not Come to Mohammed, Mohammed Must Go To The Mountain
This saying is so long that its usually shortened in several ways. Its a reminder that if someone wants something its not going to come about by itself: he must do soemthing to attain his goals. "if its success you're after you will have to work for it. Keep in mind that the mountain isnt going to come to Mohammed," Mrs Bell said to her son Alexander. -
For 12th February
If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride
If we could get all the things we wanted just by making a wish, everyone would have all he ever wanted. That would include beggars, of course, who usually would suddenly become rich. This saying is usually shortened to if wishes were horse. "If wishes were horse I'd live in a big house." -
Originally posted by laurence82:
For 12th February
[b]If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride
If we could get all the things we wanted just by making a wish, everyone would have all he ever wanted. That would include beggars, of course, who usually would suddenly become rich. This saying is usually shortened to if wishes were horse. "If wishes were horse I'd live in a big house."
[/b]
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For Friday the 13th February
If You Cant Lick Them ('em), Join Them ('em)
Today we are going to join some leopards to look at an old saying. The 'em' in it is a contraction of 'them', and its pronounced um. We can define this as saying 'if you cannot defeat an opponent or get him to change his ideas, plans or way of doing things, the best thing is to change your ideas, plans etc' -
For 14th February Valentine Day
In For A Penny, In For A Pound
The pound here is the British pound sterling. A penny is one hundredth part of one. This old saying tells us that if we decide to do something, we should commit ourselves to it boldly and completely. "I am going to devote myself to earning as much as possible this summer," Teddy said. "After all, in for a penny, out for a pound." -
For 15th February
A Job Worth Doing Is A Job Worth Doing Well.
Jeffrey has made what may be his last great trip of explorations. Watching someone trying to build a fire by rubbing sticks together he became distressed. "Havent you heard that a job woth doing is a job worth doing well? Here, use my lighter!" This proverb means if you do something you should do it as well as you can. -
For 16th February
Keep The Wolf From The Door
Wolves, it is said, prey on the weak when searching for food. From that, the 'wolf' in this expression is a metaphor for hunger. To keep the wolf from the door, then, is to avoid hunger and poverty. "I dont like my job,' Rudolph confessed, "but I have to do something to keep the wolf from the door." -
Keep A Dog And Bark Oneself
People who keep a dog to guard their property would be very unhappy if the dog failed to do his duty. In the same way, a boss who has to do the work his employees should be doing might complain to them by using this expression: "You're never around when I need you! I might as well keep a dog and bark myself!" -
Originally posted by laurence82:
thanks, that's interesting!
[b]Keep A Dog And Bark Oneself
People who keep a dog to guard their property would be very unhappy if the dog failed to do his duty. In the same way, a boos who has to do teh work his employees should be doing might complain to them by using this expression: "You're never around when I need you! I might as well keep a dog and bark myself!"[/b]
p/s: i've got a dog, and well, she do all the barking
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For 18th February
Kills Two Birds With One Stone
When someone kills two birds with one stone, he gets two things done by performing one action. Two birds in autumn were discussing winter plans. "Why dont we kill two birds with one stone by stopping off to visit Aunt Martha when we fly south this winter?" -
For 19th February
Know A Hawk From A Handsaw
When Shakespeare was searching for a way to have Hamlet tell people that he wasnt a fool and that he indeed knew what he was talking about, he gave Hamlet these words to say (Hamlet II,2). Here we have Teddy using the same words to say somethin gabout his uncle. "He's the smartest man in the world. If anyone knows a hawk from a handsaw, Uncle Felix does." -
For 20th February
Laugh And The World Laughs With You
Most people like to laugh. I guess thats why someone once said that laughter is contagious. Therefore, when someone is in a happy,cheerful mood, people like being with him. Thats the meaning behind laugh and the world laughs with you. The complete saying is this: laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone. -
Least Said, Soonest Forgotten
After making a mistake, saying or doing the wrong thing or, perhaps, embarrassing ourselves or others in some way we tend to think and worry about it - and we might apologize for it over and over. Usually least said, soonest forgotten. That is, less we say about it the sooner the incident will be forgotten. -
double post