Proverbs Quiz: Easier Said Than Done?
A proverb is a “short, well-known saying that expresses an obvious truth and often offers advice.” But the meanings of proverbs are often misunderstood. Complete the following proverbs and find out how much you know about truth and common sense.
- It is no use crying over spilled ______. a) paint b) milk c) coffee d) beans
“It is no use crying over spilled milk” means it doesn’t do much good to get upset over something that has already happened since you can’t do anything about it. It is over; deal with it, and move on. - A stitch in time saves ______. a) the day b) the game c) money d) nine
“A stitch in time saves nine” means that a small and timely preventive measure (such as adding a single stitch to a torn garment) will prevent the need for a more involved remedy (laboring over nine stitches) in the future. - Don’t count your chickens before ______. a) they lay their eggs b) they are hatched c) you eat them d) they scratch
“Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched” means you shouldn’t count on something happening before you know for sure that it will happen. - Absence makes the heart ______. a) ache b) beat faster c) break d) grow fonder
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder” means the time you are apart from the one you love makes you love them even more. - The pen is mightier than ______. a) the pencil b) the sword c) the word processor d) the man
“The pen is mightier than the sword” means that words are more powerful than weaponry. - A bird in the hand is worth ______. a) two in the bush b) five dollars c) a thousand words d) birdseed
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” means that what you actually possess is worth more than double that which you merely have the potential to acquire. - Make hay while ______. a) the grass is greener b) the sun shines c) the horse is sleeping d) the farmer’s in the dell
“Make hay while the sun shines” means you should do something while you have the chance, because the opportunity may soon be gone. - A rolling stone gathers ______. a) Mick Jagger b) dirt c) no moss d) speed
“A rolling stone gathers no moss” means that someone who moves around all the time doesn’t establish permanent roots that could become burdensome. It also means that a drifter avoids responsibilities. - All that glitters is not ______. a) good b) gold c) clean d) what it’s cracked up to be
“All that glitters is not gold” means that something that looks like it is worth a lot is not necessarily worth much at all. - All good things must ______. a) come to an end b) be expensive c) taste good d) be too good to be true
“All good things must come to an end” means, simply, that nothing lasts forever. Even good things, like this quiz.
You hit the nail on the head! You got 10/10 correct.
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.
Proverbs from around the world
