The pen is mightier than the sword

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you can solve problems or achieve your purpose better and more effectively through communication with words than by violence with weapons.

Edward George Bulwer Lytton (1803-1873), an English novelist, wrote this for the first time in 1839. He wrote, "Beneath the rule of men entirely great, the pen is mightier than the sword."

Here's another quote:

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD? Here, we are offered the insight that words are superior to action, even deady killers, like swords. Meet Martin Luther's printed words that changed history, and all the king's men were useless. (James Crystal, 12/11/02)

This proverb means words are more powerful and effective than weapons in accomplishing your purpose.

Example:

I want to stress that articles you write on newspapers can change the world. The pen is mighter than the sword!

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A picture is worth a thousand words

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that a picture can give you as much information as a written or spoken text with a lot of words can.

If someone says, "A picture is worth a thousand words," he/she means that you can describe something by drawing just one picture as well as you can by writing or saying a lot of words.

People also say "A picture paints a thousand words."

Example:

Thank you for trying to give me directions, but it's too confusing to me. Would you mind drawing a map for me? A picture is worth a thousand words.

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Procrastination is the thief of time

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you are wasting your time if you keep delaying something that must be done instead of doing it today. Edward Young (1683–1765), a British poet, was the first one who said this.

If someone says, "Procrastination is the thief of time," he/she advises you not to procrastinate (put off doing something that you must do) and use your precious time wisely.

Example:

Don't put off the things you must do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.

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Safety lies in the middle course

Meaning:

This proverb teaches us that it is best to act in a way between two opposite (especially extreme) ones to solve a problem or to deal with something.

If you say "Safety lies in the middle course," you mean it is safe to act or do something in a moderate way.

Example:

I think those two parties need to take more time to negotiate. We cannot accept either of their proposals. One is extremely conservative, and the other is extremely radical. Safety lies in the middle course.

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Silence is golden

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that saying/doing noting is better than saying/doing or trying to say/do something when you face a difficult situation.

People say "Silence is golden" to tell you not to say/do anything when you cannot come up with something to say/do easily to handle a difficult sitatuion.

People also say "Silence is golden, speech is silver."

Example:

A: How did you get throgh such a difficult situation?
B: I didn't say anything. Silence is golden.

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A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that it is better to spend a little time to deal with problems or act right now than wait. If you wait until late, things will get worse, and it will take much longer to deal with them.

It is often shortened to "A stitch in time." This proverb expresses a similar idea to that of An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Example:

I advise fixing the leak now. If not, you might need to replace the whole engine later. Fixing the leak costs $50, but you need to pay at least $1,000 to replace the engine. A stitch in time, you know.

If you have an idea for your final research paper, start writing today. Don't wait until the end of the semester. A stitch in time saves nine.

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There's no place like home

Meaning:

Your home is a special place. Nothing can replace your own home.

Example:

How do you like your new apartment here?

It's nice and comfortable, but there's no place like home. I really miss Mom's homemade bread. Read more

Time flies

Meaning:

You say "Time flies" when you are surprised to see minutes, hours, days, weeks, or years have passed very quickly.

Example:

A: Haven't we met each other for such a long time?

B: Yes, it's been 10 years since we met last time.

Time flies!

(After they talk together for 4 hours)

A: It's already midnight. We need to go home.

B: Is it already? Time flies!

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Too many cooks spoil the broth

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that if too many people do the same thing (job, project,, etc.), it will not be done well.

Sometimes people just say, "Too many cooks. "

Another proverb "There is safety in numbers" expresses the opposite idea.

If someone says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth," he/she means that your work will be more efficient if you use fewer people.

Example:

The director never asks more than 10 people to work with him in his projects, and he wants the best 10. He always says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth."

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Variety is the spice of life

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that if you do a lot of different things and meet different people, etc., your life becomes more interesting.

Having and experiencing a lot of different things is what makes your life interesting.

Example:

Variety is the spice of life, and there's a lot of it at the English Language Center. You can meet people from many different countries, and there are a lot of activities you can participate in.

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You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink

Meaning:

You can give someone the opportunity to learn or to do something, but you can never force him to accept that opportunity.

This proverb is often shortened to you can lead a horse to water. . . .

Example:

Hannah and Jack are married and have a twelve year old daughter named Nicole. Hannah is trying to help Nicole with her English homework. Nicole doesn't care about school. She just wants to go play soccer with her friends. Hannah becomes angry and finally lets Nicole go.

"Nicole just doesn't understand how important school is. She just wants to play," Hannah tells Jack.

"She'll understand someday. But right now, you have to remember that you can lead a horse to water, but you can make it drink. When she wants to do better, she will ask for your help. You can't force her to learn."

"I guess you're right, but I don't like it."

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You can't judge a book by its cover

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that you can't tell what something/someone is really like just by looking at it. It might be different from what it looks.

If someone says, "You can't judge a book by its cover," he/she advises you not to judge someone or something only by its appearance.

People also say, "You can't tell a book by its cover."

Example:

A: I want to buy this car. It looks great.
B: Have a test drive with someone who knows cars well before you decide. You can't judge a book by its cover.

I know you want to think he's honest and trust him, but be careful. You can't tell a book by its cover.

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You can't take it with you when you die

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say you have to leave everything you have on earth when you die. Even if you are very rich, you cannot take money, jewelry, a big house, or any other material things with you.
This proverb is often used to say some material things are not as valuable and important as you think, and you don't have to worry about them too much.

Example:

A: Should I buy a large house or a small house?
B: It doesn't matter. You can't take it with you when you die.

You don't have be a millionaire.You can't take it with you when you die.

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American idioms

Bite the dust (to) = to fall ( on the ground, looking as if one is eating dust), to fail, to die.

Ex: As I was riding my bike, I lost my balance and bit the dust.

= As I was riding my bike, I lost my balance and fell.

Blind leading the blind( the) = said of situation where an inexperienced or incapable person is being instructed by someone equally inexperienced or incapable

Ex: Jim is teaching Tom how to play tennis? That's a real case of the blind leading the blind .

= Jim is teaching Tom how to play tennis? That's a real case of an inexperienced person being taught by someone equally inexperienced.

Brush with the death ( to have a) = to have a near- death experience

Ex : I hear you almost got hit by the bus yesterday! You really had a brush with death

= I hear you almost got hit by the bus yesterday! You really had a near death- experience.

Don't hold your breath = don't anticipate that happening

Ex : I know she said she'd remember to take you to the airport, but don't hold your breath. She forgot everything!

= I know she said she'd remember to take you to the airport,but don't anticipate that happening. She forgot everything

Easy does it! = be careful and go slowly, calm down

Ex: Let's lift this couch on the count of three. But easy does it! I know you have a weak back

= Let's lift this couch on the count of three. But be careful ! know you have a weak back.

Feet wet( to get one's) = to try a new experience for the first time

Ex: I've never played goft before. I'm just getting my feet wet

= I've never played goft before. I'm just experiencing it for the first time.

Get the hang of something(to)= to learn how to do something

Ex: When I first went skiing, I kept falling down. But after a few hours, I started to get the hang of it!

= When I first went skiing, I kept falling down. But after a few hours, I started to learn how to ski better!

Get up enough nerve to do something ( to) = to summon the courage to do something

Ex: I couldn't get up enough nerve to tell him he was fired

= I couldn't summon enough courage to tell him he was fired

Hold one's own (to) = to be very capable at something ( without any assistance )

Ex: Lam holds his own as an airplane pilot. = Lam is very capable as an airplane pilot.

Second wind( to get one's)= to get a second burst energy

Ex: During the race, I started getting tired after about five minutes. Then all of a sudden, I got my second wind and won the race.

= During the race, I started getting tired after about five minutes. Then all of a sudden, I got a second burst energy and won the race.

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Bring/Turn/Keep/Look: Collocations Exercise

Level: Upper Intermediate to Advanced
Focus: Verb phrases using bring/turn/keep and look.

Choose ONE from each set to respond to.

Phrases with bring

1. Think of a photo you have that really brings back memories for you. First, tell what one sees when looking at the photo. Report on the specific details. Then, write about what doesn't show up openly. The memories can be pleasant or unhappy, but what did they bring on (cause to happen)?

2. What personal qualities did your parents bring you up to emulate? Discuss.

Phrases with turn

1. Write about an event that started out unpleasantly but turned into something good. Was there a particular moment at which you knew that things would turn out okay?

2. Did you ever turn down a proposition/scholarship/chance/relationship/dare or an offer/invitation? What happened as a result of your decision?

Phrases with keep

1. Have you ever tried to keep up with the latest fashions/score/trend or with a certain group of people? What happened? What did you learn?

2. What foods do you try to keep away from (or keep off, as people say in British English)? What happens if you eat them?

Phrases with look

1. Are you looking forward to having a break at the end of this session? Talk about any plans you have for the break.

2. Where do you look up one of these words to find out other expressions that use them? Try now to find several new word groups and make sentences using them.

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