Questions tagged [proverbs]

For questions about English proverbs, well-known sentences, often with a literal as well as a figurative meaning, which are appropriate for certain situations.

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What does X is the new Y mean, and why do we say this?

In English, I sometimes hear a phrase like green is the new black. Literally, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. What does it mean when someone says X is the new Y, when this makes no sense ...
gerrit's user avatar
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Proverbs similar to "We're not rich enough to buy cheap things"

I'm looking for other proverbs similar to "We're not rich enough to buy cheap things". This is because I want to use it for a similar but a little bit different purpose. I want it to be meant that to ...
Ehsan88's user avatar
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He that is silent, gathers stones [closed]

I came across the following proverb at this site. He that is silent, gathers stones. Can anyone explain its meaning? Thanks in advance.
T_T's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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What does "football" mean in this sentence: "We are seeing more football here. We are seeing more clients."

The following sentence is from a British TV channel about Britain debt problem. Broke: Britain's Debt Emergency | Dispatches | Channel 4 Documentaries (see 4:16-4:21): "We are seeing more ...
Yunus's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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Why "The pump don't work ..." correct here?

"The pump don't work 'Cause the vandals took the handle." -- Bob Dylan I came across this sentence in a book. It looks like the author quoted that sentence written by Bob Dylan -- who might be a ...
dan's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
843 views

A proverb / an expression to imply: "Enough is as good as a feast" or "Too much spoil, too little doesn't satisfy"

Please imagine a situation that a person goes too far in doing something and in another task they son't put enough effort! Or a cook who's making a food and salts a it too much, and the other food ...
A-friend's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the most common sarcastic response to something you already know?

How sarcastically imply someone who is trying to teach you something that you are well aware in that case Edited: I am going to find an up-to-date English metaphorical and sarcastic expression or ...
A-friend's user avatar
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