Have you ever heard someone using some strange
phrases such as the cats out of the
bag or strike when the iron is hot?
When you ask someone, what does that mean?
Maybe they even laugh.
Well, these are not strange quotes or phrases.
They are proverbs.
And advanced users of the English language
often use them in their conversation.
So what exactly are proverbs?
Proverbs are smart and clever sentences
that usually offer life advices.
They also used to create an impact while speaking, or
to give a better understanding to what you are saying.
So in today's English lesson, we will
learn eight powerful English proverbs that you
must include in your vocabulary and use
them whenever you find the right opportunity.
Hi, my name is Christine and you are watching
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Let's get started.
Number one on my list is two wrongs don't make a right.
Well, if you are a math student, you would disagree with
me, as two minus signs make a positive sign, right?
But keeping math aside now if somebody insults you
or harms you, you reacting and doing the same.
Which means two wrongs will not make everything okay.
It will only escalate or increase the tension.
In short, if someone is mean to
you, you don't be mean to them.
It's not right to do so.
So for example, I understand Roy has
taken all the credit for your hard
work, but damaging his computer isn't right.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
OK, I hope with this example it
was easy for you to understand.
Moving on to the next one
always put your best foot forward.
I love this proverb.
It's so motivating.
When you start something, it's best to start
with a good attitude and lots of enthusiasm.
You should bring in your
100% and do things wholeheartedly.
For example, let's put our best foot forward
and beat the competitor right on the face.
It seems the manager is giving a pep talk
to his team and asking to give their.
This proverb is so realistic even
for our day to day situations.
We certainly need to give in
our best in whatever we do.
Up next, I have don't bite the hands that feed you.
It's a really interesting one.
This proverb tells us not to be mean
to those who are nice to us.
If you are mean to people who care
for you, they wouldn't care for you again.
On the contrary, you should be
kind and thankful to them.
Here's an example no one ever helps him anymore
because he always bites the hand that feeds him.
Interesting.
I'm sure this example says it all.
In short, never be unkind to people who support you.
Here's the next one a rolling stone gathers no moss.
First.
What's a moss?
Take a look at this picture a very small green
or yellowish plant that grows on a wet surface, mostly
on river banks or at the base of tree trunks.
So what does this proverb teach us?
It teaches us to be grounded.
Imagine a stone that keeps rolling in the river.
Will it gather any moss?
No, it won't.
And so is true with people as well.
If you remain grounded, your reputation,
friends and respect will always grow.
Just hopping on a new job every six months
for a few bucks will hamper your career growth.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
After all, work experience counts.
If you change your job every six months only
for little more money, you would not gain the
required experience to grow in your career.
Next up, first things first.
Okay, got that?
First things first.
In fact, this particular proverb is so relevant in
our everyday life, we keep on skipping difficult tasks
and go for the easier ones first.
And finally, neglect or procrastinate to
compensate for the difficult ones.
This proverb advises us to do
things in the right order.
For example, if you have an important presentation
tomorrow and your friend is throwing a party
tonight, you have to complete the presentation first.
Only then you can think of having fun at the party.
It mainly teaches us to prioritize things in life.
So, for example, first things first.
Check if your medical insurance is up for renewal.
I hope you got that one.
Okay, here's an interesting one if
it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Now, the word aint in this sentence is an
informal contraction, which means isn't or is not.
This proverbs warns us about changing something
that is already working perfectly well.
So why should one change something that works fine?
At times, we try to make unnecessary changes that are
not required and we end up messing things up.
For example, I know you want to disrupt
the market, but let's make a slow move.
If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Well, we all are evolving in the startup ecosystem.
Because a few startup ideas have disrupted
the market doesn't mean all we'll do.
In short, go with the system and
a sudden change might have bad results.
Here's a funny one curiosity kill the cat.
Curiosity kill the cat.
We've all heard this, right? Tell me something.
Are you the one who asks too many
questions or are you the curious one?
Assume I'm wearing this microphone, okay?
I am the end user of it. Meaning?
My purpose of using it is to record clear audio.
But if I get into the technology behind
it, I mean, how it's manufactured, the material
used, how does it record, etc.
I am being too curious.
I need to focus on how to use it correctly.
And leave that to the engineers who had invented it.
Sometimes asking too many questions leads us nowhere.
Don't get me wrong, knowledge is good.
But it's good when it's being implemented.
Otherwise it rots and curiosity
behind it irritates others.
So here's an example, RIA, stop asking me too
many questions about how much profit I'm making in
my business, because curiosity kills the cat.
What do you gain by knowing so much?
I'm sure you might have had friends like RIA who tried
to get into the details of how much profits you're making
or all the information that you don't want to share.
So that's being too curious or too inquisitive.
And here's the last one no news is good news.
No news is good news.
How is that even possible?
Well, sometimes no information about a situation
suggests that nothing bad has happened.
This proverb goes way back when families would nervously
wait for their son or father who has gone
into the war zone to return to receive news
would mean something bad has happened in the war.
In short, it means there is no
need to worry because people normally only
send information when something is wrong.
But this may not always be true.
For example, we haven't heard about
our teacher resuming classes yet.
Well, no news is good news.
We haven't heard yet anything from
the boss about downsizing the company.
Well, no news is good news.
It seems that the employees were expecting layoffs,
but haven't got any such emails yet.
And assuming that there will
be no downsizing, they're happy.
Downsizing means to reduce the number of
employees in a company and it usually
happens to reduce costs and expenses.
Well, you don't have to downsize your English learning
as I will keep bringing you new English lessons.
So those were eight powerful English
proverbs for daily use in conversations.
If you learned something meaningful, do hit the
like button and share it with your friends.
I will see you soon with a new lesson.
Until then, as I always say,
keep learning, keep practicing English. Bye for now.