KEY
actions speak louder than words
actions speak louder than words: (saying) what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do.
Other popular proverbs:
When in Rome, do as the Romans: act the way that the people around you are acting. This phrase might
come in handy when you're travelling abroad and notice that people do things
differently than you're used to.
All roads lead to Rome: There are many different routes to the same goal. E.g. Mary was criticizing the way that Jane was planting the flowers. John said, "Never mind, Mary, all roads lead to Rome." Some people learn by doing. Others have to be taught. In the long run, all roads lead to Rome.
The proof is in the pudding: You cannot be sure that you have succeeded until you have examined the result of your efforts. E.g. Jill: I think we've done a good job of fixing the lawn mower. Jane: Well, the proof is in the pudding. We haven't tried to mow the lawn with it yet.
No man is an island: you can't live completely independently. Everyone needs help from other people.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones: don't criticize other people if you're not perfect yourself.
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst: bad things might happen, so be prepared.
Birds of a feather flock together: people like to spend time with others who are similar to them.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer: if you have an enemy, pretend to be friends with them instead of openly fighting with them. That way you can watch them carefully and figure out what they're planning.
There's no such thing as a free lunch: things that are offered for free always have a hidden cost.
There's no place like home: your own home is the most comfortable place to be.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth: if someone offers you a gift, don't question it.
You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs: it is hard to achieve something important without causing unpleasant effects.
You can’t compare apples and oranges: it is impossible to say that one thing is better than another if the two are completely different. E.g. They are both great but you can't compare apples and oranges. No, you’re trying to compare apples and oranges.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: don't try to improve something that already works fairly well. You'll probably end up causing new problems.
Too many cooks spoil the broth: when there are too many people trying to lead and give their opinions can be confusing and leads to bad results. Jobs and projects should have one or two strong leaders.
Easy come, easy go: when you get money quickly, like by winning it, it's easy to spend it or lose it quickly as well.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you: if someone's paying you or helping you out, you have to be careful not to make them angry or say bad things about them.
Know which side your bread is buttered (on): to be careful not to upset people who you know can help you. E.g. Ollie won't refuse to come with us. He knows which side his bread is buttered.
All good things must come to an end: you can't keep having good luck or fun forever; eventually it will stop.
If you can’t beat them, join them: (saying) if you cannot defeat somebody or be as successful as they are, then it is more sensible to join them in what they are doing and perhaps get some advantage for yourself by doing so.
One man's trash is another man's treasure: different people have different ideas about what's valuable.
There's no time like the present: if you need to do something, don't wait until later. Do it now.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: different people have different ideas about what's beautiful.
Necessity is the mother of invention: when you're really in need, you think of creative solutions to your problems.
A penny saved is a penny earned: save your money. Saving money is just like making money.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket: have a backup plan. Don't risk all of your money or time in one plan.
The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence): people always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances. (Usually implies that the other circumstances really are not any better.) E.g. Jill: My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does. Jane: Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you: don't do mean things to people.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link: if one member of a team doesn't perform well, the whole team will fail.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink: if you try to help someone, but they don't take your advice or offers, give up. You can't force someone to accept your help. Sometimes an extra line is added: "but you can make him thirsty"
A man's word is his bond a "bond" is a "duty or obligation imposed by a contract. A similar expression is: a man/woman of his/her word: a person who keeps their promises: e.g. she was a woman of her word.
Ex 9A
KEY
Group A
1-d
A picture is worth a thousand words: pictures convey emotions and messages better than written or spoken explanations.
Deeds, not words: A person is known and judged more by his actions than by what he says. This is another form of Actions speak louder than words. E.g. Deeds, not words, matter most.
ice cap: a layer of ice permanently covering parts of the earth, especially around the North and South Poles.
2-b
better safe than sorry: (saying) used to say that it is wiser to be too careful than to act too quickly and do something you may later wish you had not.E.g. It may be time-consuming to check the oil in your car every time you buy gasoline, but better safe than sorry. Bob: I don't need a tetanus shot just because I stepped on a nail. Mary: I still think you should get one. Better be safe than sorry.
heavy: more or worse than usual in amount, degree, etc. E.g. the noise of heavy traffic. Heavy frost/rain/snow. The effects of heavy drinking. There was heavy fighting in the capital last night. The penalty for speeding can be a heavy fine. She spoke with heavy irony.
3- e
out of sight, out of mind: (saying) used to say somebody will quickly be forgotten when they are no longer with you. E.g. Ever since I moved, none of my old friends have gotten in touch with me. It's out of sight, out of mind with them, evidently. My electric bill somehow got moved to the bottom of the stack on my desk, and I forgot all about paying it. Out of sight, out of mind.
4- a
home is where the heart is: something that you say which means that your true home is with the person or in the place that you love most. E.g. I don't mind moving round the world with Chris. Home is where the heart is.
5- c
practise what you preach: to do the things yourself that you tell other people to do. E.g. I would have more respect for him if he practised what he preaches.
6- f
Rome wasn’t built in a day (saying) used to say that a complicated task will take a long time and needs patience. E.g. 'Sometimes it feels like we've spent all our lives decorating this house.' 'Well, Rome wasn't built in a day.'
Group B
7- g
There's no place like home: home is the most satisfying place to be. E.g. After his long trip, Bob came into his house, sat down in his favourite chair, and happily sighed, "There's no place like home." Jane: Are you glad to be home from school? Jenny: There's no place like home.
8- l
nothing ventured, nothing gained: (saying) used to say that you have to take risks if you want to achieve things and be successful. E.g. Bill: Should I ask my boss for a promotion? Jane: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think I'll audition for a part in that play. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We tried to make television programmes that were new and different, and we weren't always successful, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
9- i
don’t/you can't judge a book by its cover: (saying) used to say that you should not form an opinion about somebody/something from their appearance only. E.g. She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.
10- k
actions speak louder than words: (saying) what a person actually does means more than what they say they will do. E.g. You keep saying that you'll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words. Of course the government have made all sorts of promises but as we all know, actions speak louder than words.
11- j
Practice makes perfect: you have to practice a skill a lot to become good at it. E.g. You can't expect to become a brilliant dancer overnight, but practice makes perfect.
12- h
Absence makes the heart grow fonder: (saying) used to say that when you are away from somebody that you love, you love them even more. E.g. Ever since Carla's boyfriend moved away, she can't stop thinking about him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. 'My boyfriend's going to South America and I won't see him for six months.' 'Ah well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.'
Ex 10
stress-timed language: (of a language) having a regular rhythm of primary stresses. English is considered to be a stress-timed language.
syllable-timed: (of a language) having a regular rhythm of syllables. Spanish is considered to be a syllable-timed language.
KEY
1. A picture is worth a thousand words
2. better safe than sorry
3. out of sight, out of mind
4. home is where the heart is
5. practise what you preach
6. Rome wasn’t built in a day
7. There's no place like home
8. nothing ventured, nothing gained
9. don’t judge a book by its cover
10. actions speak louder than words
11. Practice makes perfect
12. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
p 155
Ex 1A
1-f
Beggars can't be choosers: if you're asking for a favour from someone else, you have to take whatever they give you. Said when you recognize that you must accept an offer or a situation because it is the only one available to you. E.g. I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
2- j
Better late than never: it's best to do something on time. But if you can't do it on time, do it late. E.g. I'm sorry I'm late to the party. Better late than never, right? Jill: Lisa's birthday was two weeks ago. Should I send her a card now? Jane: Better late than never.
3- d
Don't count your chickens (before they hatch): your plans might not work out, so don't start thinking about what you'll do after you succeed. Wait until you've already succeeded, and then you can think about what to do next.
4- c
5- i
keep your nose clean (informal) to avoid doing anything wrong or illegal. E.g. Since leaving prison, he's managed to keep his nose clean.
6- e
No rest for the wicked: It's because you are wicked (bad) that you have to work hard. (Usually jocular.) E.g. A: I can't seem to ever get all my work done. B: No rest for the wicked.
7-a
put your best foot forward: to make a great effort to do something, especially if it is difficult or you are feeling tired. To act in a way that causes other people to have a good opinion of you E.g. When you apply for a job, you should always put your best foot forward. I try to put my best foot forward whenever I meet someone for the first time. All I could do was put my best foot forward and hope I made a good impression. Make sure you put your best foot forward for tonight's performance.
8-g
share and share alike (saying) used to say that everyone should share things equally and in a fair way. E.g. I kept five and gave the other five to Mary—share and share alike. The two roommates agreed that they would divide expenses—share and share alike. Come on now, don't keep them all to yourself - share and share alike.
10- h
the pen is mightier than the sword (saying) people who write books, poems, etc. have a greater effect on history and human affairs than soldiers and wars. Something that you say which means thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence. E.g. Reason is our greatest weapon against such tyrants. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Ex 10
stress-timed language: (of a language) having a regular rhythm of primary stresses. English is considered to be a stress-timed language.
syllable-timed: (of a language) having a regular rhythm of syllables. Spanish is considered to be a syllable-timed language.
KEY
1. A picture is worth a thousand words
2. better safe than sorry
3. out of sight, out of mind
4. home is where the heart is
5. practise what you preach
6. Rome wasn’t built in a day
7. There's no place like home
8. nothing ventured, nothing gained
9. don’t judge a book by its cover
10. actions speak louder than words
11. Practice makes perfect
12. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
p 155
Ex 1A
1-f
Beggars can't be choosers: if you're asking for a favour from someone else, you have to take whatever they give you. Said when you recognize that you must accept an offer or a situation because it is the only one available to you. E.g. I would have preferred a house of my own rather than sharing, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose.
2- j
Better late than never: it's best to do something on time. But if you can't do it on time, do it late. E.g. I'm sorry I'm late to the party. Better late than never, right? Jill: Lisa's birthday was two weeks ago. Should I send her a card now? Jane: Better late than never.
3- d
Don't count your chickens (before they hatch): your plans might not work out, so don't start thinking about what you'll do after you succeed. Wait until you've already succeeded, and then you can think about what to do next.
4- c
strike while the iron is hot: When you have an opportunity to do something, do it before you lose your chance. E.g. This is the best time in the last ten years to buy a house. Strike while the iron is hot. Ask Lisa for a favour now, while she's in a good mood. Strike while the iron is hot. When you have a customer on the phone, strike while the iron is hot by offering special discounts on certain items.
5- i
keep your nose clean (informal) to avoid doing anything wrong or illegal. E.g. Since leaving prison, he's managed to keep his nose clean.
6- e
No rest for the wicked: It's because you are wicked (bad) that you have to work hard. (Usually jocular.) E.g. A: I can't seem to ever get all my work done. B: No rest for the wicked.
7-a
put your best foot forward: to make a great effort to do something, especially if it is difficult or you are feeling tired. To act in a way that causes other people to have a good opinion of you E.g. When you apply for a job, you should always put your best foot forward. I try to put my best foot forward whenever I meet someone for the first time. All I could do was put my best foot forward and hope I made a good impression. Make sure you put your best foot forward for tonight's performance.
8-g
share and share alike (saying) used to say that everyone should share things equally and in a fair way. E.g. I kept five and gave the other five to Mary—share and share alike. The two roommates agreed that they would divide expenses—share and share alike. Come on now, don't keep them all to yourself - share and share alike.
9-b
The early bird catches the worm: you should wake up and start work early if you want to succeed. Something that you say in order to tell someone that if they want to be successful they should do something immediately E.g. Fred: What are you doing in the office at 7:30 A.M.? Jane: The early bird catches the worm. I didn't expect to see you studying at the library at this hour of the morning. The early bird catches the worm, huh? If you see a job that interests you, apply as soon as possible. The early bird catches the worm.
10- h
the pen is mightier than the sword (saying) people who write books, poems, etc. have a greater effect on history and human affairs than soldiers and wars. Something that you say which means thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence. E.g. Reason is our greatest weapon against such tyrants. The pen is mightier than the sword.
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