Morals, fables, idioms, and proverbs full of wisdom have been passed down through centuries in literature, song, and everyday language. Many of these reflect common human experiences and values in simple, memorable phrases, like these 19 sayings that only old people will understand.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
A very old idiom that may have come from one of Aesop’s fables. This emphasizes caution against planning for something before it is certain to happen because none of us know what the future holds. It’s often used when someone is making plans based on anticipated success or outcomes that are not yet guaranteed.
Bite the bullet
We say this when we are facing a difficult or unpleasant task head-on when someone must endure a painful or otherwise unpleasant situation without avoiding it. The idea of this is thought to have come from surgeries on battlefields. According to History Extra, it’s said that soldiers would bite down on lead bullets to distract from the pain of surgery.
A penny saved is a penny earned
This is an aphorism–a general statement that presents a moral or philosophical idea. This one is used to encourage frugality and wise spending habits. It stresses the importance of saving money and how saving it is just as valuable as earning it.
The early bird gets the worm
A proverb that goes back years, it was first seen in a book by William Camden, published in 1605. This is often told to motivate people to start early on work or an opportunity and suggests that success comes to those who prepare well and act early.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
It’s difficult to change people’s habits or traits, especially as they get older, and this saying encapsulates that perfectly. It’s often used when a person is skeptical about learning something new late in life or maybe afraid to try something they haven’t done before. Also, now it’s a great song by Seasick Steve.
Actions speak louder than words
Another old proverb that’s typically used in the context of judging someone’s intentions or sincerity through their deeds, not just what they promise. It emphasizes that what you do is more significant than what you say, or if you say you’re going to do something, people will believe it when you actually do it.
Burning the midnight oil
Before the light bulb was invented, people had to work by the light of a flame if they wanted to work during the dark hours. This flame was often an oil lamp. This phrase now refers to staying up late working on something, describing long hours of work often stretching far into the night.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
An old German proverb that is now most often used in discussions where there’s a risk of losing good aspects by trying to get rid of bad ones. It really just means to be careful and mindful of what you are doing, warning against getting rid of valuable things along with the things you don’t need.
It takes two to tango
Often used when people are romantically involved, this points out that certain activities or situations require two participants to be responsible. It’s commonly referenced in situations involving infidelity in relationships or arguments and fights, emphasizing shared responsibility.
Let sleeping dogs lie
If a dog is asleep, let it sleep. If you wake it up, it will want tummy rubs, a walk, and treats.
This is a very old phrase, just meaning that if something is settled, leave it alone. If an argument has been resolved, don’t bring it up again; you’ll just be stirring up more trouble.
Straight from the horse’s mouth
Writing Explained tells us, “This expression first became popular around the 1920s. It comes from the practice of examining a horse’s teeth to determine its age”. The expression means to get information directly from the most reliable source and is used when someone receives information directly from someone involved or an authority on the subject.
Fit as a fiddle
In the past, comparing something to a fiddle was considered a compliment, as these had very positive connotations. The word ‘fit’ meant something that was ‘fitting’ or perfect for a certain purpose. The meaning has changed over the years, and now it is commonly used to express that someone is in very good physical condition.
Close, but no cigar
A phrase that is thought to have come from fairground games of the past, when the prize for winning a game was a cigar. The phrase indicates that someone almost achieved success but ultimately fell short. It’s often used in competitive situations or when recounting near successes.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Keeping Up with the Joneses was a comic strip popular in the early 1900s. The phrase describes competing with neighbors or peers in social class or spending, always buying the same or better things that they have bought. It is used to critique efforts to constantly match or surpass someone else’s lifestyle.
The pot calling the kettle black
This saying dates back to the days when pots and kettles were heated over an open fire, and both would turn black from the heat. Nowadays, the phrase is often shortened to “Pot, kettle”, which makes no sense without context! It is used when pointing out hypocrisy or when one person criticizes another for a fault they also possess.
Like watching paint dry
This is used to say that an event or activity was about as much fun as staring at a wall. (A freshly painted wall). It describes a very boring experience or task and is often used humorously to describe something that has absolutely no exciting qualities.
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
To check how old and healthy a horse is, we check its teeth. So, if you were given a horse as a gift, it would be rude to look in its mouth to see how valuable it is. Phrases explain, “When receiving a gift, be grateful for what it is; don’t imply you wished for more by assessing its value”.
Don’t cry over spilled milk
There is no point in worrying or upsetting yourself over something that can’t be changed or undone. Your only option is to clean up the mess and get on with things. This saying is often used to advise someone to move on from minor setbacks or errors.
Cutting off your nose to spite your face
This is most often used when a person uses self-destructive means to fix a problem, knowing that in the process, they are going to harm themselves. It’s like sinking the ship of their enemy to get revenge for a slight, but they are passengers on the ship, too.
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