Most important English sayings with their meaning
Most common English sayings. Most Usual English Sayings
Face it, if you’re here, it’s because you’re a bit of a language freak. That’s okay. So are we… But before getting into the nitty-gritty, let’s see what a saying is and how it differs from a proverb or an idiom. A saying is any concisely written or spoken expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. Sayings are categorized as follows: Aphorism: a general, observational truth; “a pithy expression of wisdom or truth “. Some examples of popular sayings in English include “slow and steady wins the race,”” you can’t judge a book by its cover,” and “actions speak louder than words.”
What is the difference between a proverb, a saying, and an idiom?
A proverb is a short, traditional saying that offers advice or expresses a universal truth. A saying is a simple, often colloquial expression that memorably conveys a message. An idiom is a phrase or expression with a symbolic meaning that differs from the words’ literal meaning. While all three can be used to convey wisdom or insight, they each have their distinct characteristics and uses.
10 most common sayings in English
Having made the previous clarifications, let’s get down to business. Here are the 10 most used sayings in the English language along with their meaning:
Better late than never. – It’s better to do something late than not at all
Two wrongs don’t make a right – If someone does something bad to you, it doesn’t make it right for you to do something bad back
Birds of a feather flock together – Similar People tend to spend time together. A picture is worth a thousand words – A picture can convey more information than words alone.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch – Nothing is truly free; everything has a cost.
Beggars can’t be choosers – If you’re in a difficult situation and someone offers you help, you can’t be picky about what kind of help you receive.
A penny for your thoughts
Actions speak louder than words – What people do is more important than what they say.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – Don’t assume that something will happen before it actually does.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too – You can’t have everything you want; sometimes you must make choices
Other famous English sayings
Some of the most commonly used English sayings are also:
You can’t judge a book by its cover
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. – When things become difficult, strong people take action.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Add insult to injury; All good things must come to an end; All in good time; Curiosity killed the cat or Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
About this blog…
And this is the end of our publication. If you liked it, visit Most Common English Idioms, Most Common English Idioms II, Scottish Proverbs, Most Important Catalan Sayings and Proverbs Translated to English, Common British English expressions translated to Catalan II, and Common British English expressions translated to Catalan. You will find them all in this blog (take a look at the recent posts column on the left). So, if you like typical expressions, idioms, proverbs and sayings, see you here. You know what they say: birds of a feather flock together. We have no doubt that you will find surprising things on this blog. If you want to share more proverbs with us, please send them to us in the comments section below. Thanks for visiting our blog, and see you soon!
رُبّ ضارة نافعة: “A harmful thing may be beneficial.” مصائب قوم عند قوم فوائد: “Some people’s adversities are beneficial to other people.” كل تأخيرة فيها خيرة: “Every delay brings about something good.”
Every cloud has a silver lining in Basque
Bataren gaitza besteak on = lit. With an evil of one thing (or someone) another one can draw benefit. Source: Refranero Multilingüe
Every cloud has a silver lining in Catalan
D’un gran mal en surt un gran bé = lit. From a great evil comes a great good.
No hi ha mal que per bé no vingui = lit. There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Croatian
Svako zlo za neko dobro = lit. every evil for some good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Czech
Vše zlé je k něčemu dobré. = lit. All bad [things] are good to something. (Every bad [thing] is good for something.)
Every cloud has a silver lining in Dutch
Achter de wolken schijnt de zon // elke wolk heeft een zilveren voering. // altijd een geluk bij een ongeluk = lit. always lucky in an accident.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Estonian
Vihmaga saab vilja, põuaga põhku. ~ With rain comes grain, with drought (comes) hay. Õnn ja õnnetus käivad käsikäes. ~ Happiness and unhappiness walk hand in hand. Õnnest tuleb õnnetus ja õnnetusest õnn. ~ Out of happiness comes unhappiness and out of unhappiness (comes) happiness. Ka kõige mustem mure kaob valge liiva all. ~ Even the darkest sorrow disappears underneath the white sand.
Every cloud has a silver lining in French
À quelque chose malheur est bon = lit. In every evil thing there is something good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Galician
Non hai mal que por ben non veña = lit. There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in German
Wo Schatten ist, ist auch Licht. ~ Where there is shadow there is also light.
Es hat allessein Gutes = lit. It has all its good
Nach düstern Wolken scheint die Sonne am stärksten = lit. behing hidden clouds the sun shines stronger.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Greek
«Ουδέν κακόν αμιγές καλού» or in polytonic spelling (since it’s a Stoic belief, I think Epicurean): «Οὐδὲν κακὸν ἀμιγὲς καλοῦ» in Modern Greek pronunciation: /u’ðen ka’kon ami’ʝes ka’lu/ lit. “There’s no evil without some good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Hebrew
הכל לטובה hakol letova – everything is for the best
Also “מעז יצא מתוק” – [me’az yatsa matok] = “out of the strong came forth sweetness”.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Hungarian
Minden rosszban van valami jó.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Irish gaelic
Tha a’ ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan = lit. In every bad situation there is an element of good
Every cloud has a silver lining in Italian
“Dietro ogni nuvola c’è un raggio di sole” (The sun shines behind the clouds). “Finita la pioggia torna il sereno” (As soon as it stops raining, the sun starts shining).
“Non tutto il male viene per nuocere” – “Not all the bad things come to hurt”
Every cloud has a silver lining in Japanese
苦あれば楽あり(if there is pain, there is another gain) and 災い転じて福となす(misfortune will be transformed into fortune).
Every cloud has a silver lining in Korean
불행 중 다행-something good that comes out of something bad
Every cloud has a silver lining in Latin
Malum nullum est sine aliquo bono = There is no evil without some good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Portuguese
Há males que vêm para o/por bem. ( lit. There are bad things that come for the sake o good)
Every cloud has a silver lining in Russian
нет худа без добра /net khuda bez dobra/ – [there is] no bad without good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Swedish
Varje moln har en silverkant but it’s not a very common expression, but we usually say “Varje moln har en guldkant” – Every cloud have a gold lining.
“Inget ont som inte har något gott med sig” – Nothing evil that doesn’t have something good with it.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Scottish Gaelic
Tha a’ ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan = literally, The sun is behind each boat.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Spanish
No hay mal que por bien no venga: There is no evil that doesn’t come for a a good.
Every cloud has a silver lining in Turkish
“Her işte bir hayır vardır.” –> lit. “There is something good in everything.“
Sayings. Good things come in small packages. Meaning and example. Good things come in small packages in other languages.
Meaning
When someone says Good / Best / Big / The best things come in small packages they mean that even though something may be small, it is of better quality than big things. So the bottom line is that things should not be underestimated because of their small size.
Example
At the end of the day, little things, such as gathering rosebuds, is what bring meaning back into my life. You know, good things come in small packages.
Good things come in small packages in Basque language
Lurrin ona flasko txikietan saltzen da (literally, a good perfume is sold in small bottles).
Good things come in small packages in Catalan
Al pot petit hi ha la bona confitura (literally, the good jam is in the small jar).
Good things come in small packages in (Mandarin) Chinese
好東西不在個頭大 (pronounced Hǎo dōngxī bùzài gètóu dà; literally Small things are big) .
Good things come in small packages in French
Tout ce qui est petit est mignon (literally, All that is small is nice); also Dans les petites boîtes, les bons onguents (literally, Inside the small boxes, the good ointents).
Good things come in small packages in Galician language
As boas cousas véndense en pequenas doses (literally, Good things are sold in small doses).
Good things come in small packages in German
In den kleinsten Flaschen ist das beste Likör (literally, In the small bottles there is the best liquor).
Good things come in small packages in Italian
Nelle botti piccine ci sta il vino buono (literally, In the small barrels, there is the good wine).
Good things come in small packages in Scots language
In Scottish language —attention, not Scots Gaelic— you can say Guid gear comes in sma’buck which means more or less the same.
Good things come in small packages in Spanish
El perfume (o la esencia) se vende en tarro pequeño (literally, Perfume is sold in small jars).
Scottish proverbs translated to English and Catalan
Previously on Nuts ~ Tocat del Bolet we posted the most important Catalan Sayings and Proverbs translated to English. A saying is a short, pithy, commonly known expression which generally offers advice or wisdom, and contains truth or value. As everybody knows, Scotland is a beautiful country full of history and folk wisdom. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some delightful Scottish proverbs:
Glasgow from Queens Park.
Like father, like son
Scottish Gaelic: Am mac mar an t-athair. Catalan: De tal pare, tal fill.
Nobody can serve two masters
Scottish Gaelic: Chan urrainn do dhuine ‘sambith seirbhis a dhéanamh do dhà mhaighstir. Catalan: Ningú pot servir a dos senyors. (literally, Nobody can serve two lords).
A leopard can’t change its spots
Scottish Gaelic: an car a bha san t-seana mhaide ‘s duilich a thoirt às (literally, the twist which is in the old stick is difficult to take out). Catalan: Cabra avesada a saltar, fa de mal desvesar (literally, A goat used to jump is difficult to unveil).
Every cloud has a silver lining
Scottish Gaelic: tha a’ ghrian air cùlaibh gach sgothan (literally, The sun is behind each boat). Catalan: Es tanca una porta i s’obre una finestra (literally, a door closes and a window opens) or No hi ha mal que per bé no vingui (literally, there is no evil that does not come for a good purpose).
He who loses his language loses his world
Scottish Gaelic: Am fear a chailleas a chanain caillidh e a shaoghal. Translation into Catalan: Qui perd el seu idioma, perd el seu món.
It is the milk of the goat foaming and warm, that gave the strength to the past generations of people
Scottish Gaelic: Bainne nan gobhar fo chobhar ’s e blàth, ’s e chuireadh an spionnadh sna daoine a bha Catalan: És la llet escumosa i calenta de la cabra, la que va donar força a les anteriors generacions.
Do you know any other Scottish proverbs? Tell us! We look forward to your comments and suggestions.
Big fish eat little fish
Scottish Gaelic: A’ bhiast as mutha ag ithe na beiste as lugha.
Catalan: el peix gran es menja el petit.
Although…
What’s meant to happen will happen
Scottish: Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye!
Catalan: El que hagi de passar, passarà.
Many a little makes a mickle
Scottish: Mony a mickle maks a muckle! (Saving a small amount soon builds up to a large amount)
Catalan: De mica en mica s’omple la pica.
Edinburgh
Don’t try to teach someone something they already know
Scottish: Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs!
Catalan: No vulguis ensenyar res a algú que ja en sap.
Thank you for your visit. Nuts ~ Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.
Top Catalan Sayings and Proverbs translated to English
Here is a list of the most important and widespread Catalan Sayings and proverbs, which are sentences that convey the collective wisdom of our forefathers and have been passed down to successive generations over the years. While a saying is a familiar expression that is often repeated, a proverb is a type of saying that contains a piece of advice or simply contains truth or a value. We will provide a literal, word-by-word, translation as well as the closest equivalent saying and proverb in English and French. There is an audio recording of every expression too, so that you can learn how to pronounce them.
✪ Qui no s’arrisca, no pisca ✪
Nothing ventured, nothing lost pronunciation in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: He who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t grab (anything).
English closest equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
✪ Com més serem, més riurem ✪
The more the merrier in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: The more we will be, the more we will laugh.
English equivalent: The more, the merrier.
🧑🏿🤝🧑🏿🧑🤝🧑🧑🏻🤝🧑🏽 🧑🏿🤝🧑🏿🧑🤝🧑🧑🏻🤝🧑🏽
✪ A poc a poc i bona lletra ✪
The more haste, the less speed in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: slowly and neat handwriting.
English equivalent: The more haste, the worse speed / More haste, less speed.
✍✍✍✍✍ ✍
✪ De mica en mica, s’omple la pica ✪
Many a little, makes a little in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: Bit by bit, one fills the sink.
English equivalents (depending on the context): Many a little makes a mickle, Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves or Constant dripping wears away the stone. In French: Petit à petit, loiseau fait son nid (literally, little by little the bird makes its nest).
🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰🚰
✪ Si vols estar ben servit, fes-te tu mateix el llit ✪
If you want something done right, do it yourself pronunciation in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: If you want to be well served, make the bed yourself.
English equivalent: If you want something done right, do it yourself.
🛏️ 🛏️ 🛏️ 🛏️ 🛏️ 🛏️
✪ Els catalans, de les pedres en fem pans ✪
Catalans make bread out of stones pronunciation
Literal translation: Catalans make bread out of stones.
Meaning: Catalan people get ahead in spite of difficulties because they are productive and can make a virtue out of necessity.
🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞
✪ Hi ha més dies que llonganisses ✪
There’s plenty of time in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: there are more days than sausages. (llonganisa is a speciality cold sausage with spiced pork filling and intestine skins).
English equivalent: There’s plenty of time.
🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖🥖
✪ Al pot petit hi ha la bona confitura ✪
Good things come in small packages in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: In the small jar there is the good jam.
English equivalent: Good things come in small packages.
🏺🏺🏺🏺🏺🏺
✪ Tal faràs, tal trobaràs ✪
What goes around comes around in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: Such you will do, such you will find.
English equivalent: What goes around, comes around.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
✪ No diguis blat fins que no el tinguis al sac i ben lligat ✪
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched in Catalan, English and French
Literal meaning: Don’t say wheat until you have it in the bag and well tied up.
English equivalent: Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾
Honorific mentions
✪ Qui de jove no treballa, de vell dorm a la palla ✪
If you lie upon roses when young, you will lie upon thorns when old in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: He who doesn’t work when young, will sleep on the straw when old.
English equivalent: If you lie upon roses when young, you will lie upon thorns when old.
👷👩💼🧑🏿🏭 👷👩💼🧑🏿🏭
✪ Cel rogent, pluja o vent ✪
Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning closest equivalents in Catalan, English and French
English closest equivalent: Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.
Literal meaning: Reddish sky, rain or wind.
French closest equivalent: Ciel rouge le soir laisse bon espoir. Ciel rouge le matin, pluie en chemin.
🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥
✪ A l’estiu, tota cuca viu ✪
Sayings about summer in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: In summertime, every bug comes alive.
We haven’t found any equivalent for this saying, but here is this one: Friends, sun, sand, and sea, that sounds like a summer to me. It also conveys the liveliness inherent in summertime.
🐛🐞🦗🦟 🐛🐞🦗🦟
✪ Qui no vulgui pols, que no vagi a l’era ✪
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen in Catalan, English and French
Literal meaning: If you don’t want dust, don’t go to the threshing floor.
English closest equivalent: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. French closest equivalent: Qui craint le danger ne doit pas aller en mer (literally, He who is afraid of danger, shouldn’t go to the sea)
☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️
✪ Per Nadal, cada ovella al seu corral ✪
All hearts come home for Christmas in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: At Christmas, every sheep to its yard.
English closest equivalent: All hearts come home for Christmas
French closest equivalent: Tout le monde devrait être à la maison pour Noël (Everybody should be at home for Christmas)
🐑🐏 🐑🐏 🐑🐏
✪ Qui dia passa, any empeny ✪
Tomorrow is another day in Catalan, English and French
Literal translation: He who a day passes by, pushes a year. Closest equivalent in English: Tomorrow is another day . Closest equivalent in French: Demain est un autre jour.
🗓️🗓️🗓️🗓️🗓️🗓️🗓️
✪ Qui no té memòria, ha de tenir cames ✪
One would forget one’s head if it weren’t screwed on in Catalan
Literal meaning: He who doesn’t have (a good) memory, needs legs. Closest equivalent in English: One would forget one’s head if it weren’t screwed on.
🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
✪ Pagant Sant Pere canta ✪
Maney talks in Catalan, English and French
Literal meaning: If you pay, Saint Peter sings. English closest equivalent: Money talks. French closest equivalent: L’argent a le dernier mot (literally, money has the last word).
💰💰💰💰💰💰
✪ De més verdes en maduren ✪
Stranger things have happened in Catalan, English and French
Literally: Even greener ones have ripened Closest equivalent in English: Stranger things have happened. Closest equivalent in French: De drôles de choses se sont passées (literally, stranger things have happened)
👽👽👽👽👽👽
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Typical British expressions and their equivalent in Catalan language
Very British English expressions translated to Catalan
Here are 22 common British English expressions translated to Catalan. As a matter of fact, they sound very idiomatic in both languages, so if you ever go to Catalonia and you use these Catalan expressions, you will probably blow people’s minds!
By the way, you may have wondered what the name of this blog, “tocat del bolet” means. It is a Catalan idiom that can be translated into English as cracked; crazy; potty; round the bend; nuts; crackers; bonkered or (as) nutty as a fruitcake .
This is our first post in English. However, if you visit the section in Catalan, at least you’ll be able to translate them with google translate. We know it’s not the same, specially with idioms, but it can give you an idea about this blog.
Let us however, without further ado, take a good look at the list of genuine British expressions.
I’m knackered!
I’m knackered means “I’m very tired”. In Catalan, “Estic fet pols” (literally, “I’m dust”) or “Estic fet caldo” (literally, “I’m broth”). Both “Estic fet pols” and “Estic fet caldo” are what Catalan native speakers would naturally say when they are really tired.
It’s not my cup of tea
“It’s not my cup of tea” means “I don’t like it very much” or “I’m not very fond of sth” or “It’s not my type”. In Catalan, “No em fa el pes” (literally, “It doest make the weight”). I know, it doesn’t make much sense, but you know, idioms not always have a literal meaning. It is a very common Catalan expression. If you want to say that someone is not your type, you can also say “no és el meu tipus” .
Fancy a cuppa?
It is an invitation to have tea together. In Catalan, “Fem un te?” (literally, “let’s have a tea (together)”) . You can actually use the verb fem with coffee, beers…
☕ Fancy a cuppa?
I’m pissed
It means that you are drunk. In Catalan, “Vaig pet” . Literally, “I go fart”.
Mate
Maybe the quintessential British word. It is slang for “friend” . It is very common in Australia too, and although it is not used in American English, it is understood by English speakers all over the world. In Catalan, “company” . You can also use the word “amic” (friend), but it has slightly different connotations.
That’s rubbish!
It means “nonesense”. In Catalan, “I què més?!” (literally, “And what more!?”, or “Au, vinga!” (literally, “C’mon, you can’t be serious!” ). On the other hand, “Bollocks!” can be translated as “Collonades!” (literally, “bollocks!”).
Bollocks!
It is a swear word that refers to the male organs contained in the scrotum. In Catalan “Collons!” if you are cursing and “collonades” if you are referring to information deliberately intended to mislead or nonsense. “Collons” is one of the first swear words a foreigner learns in Catalan.
Bob’s your uncle
Bob’s your uncle is added to the end of sentences to express “and that’s it” . In Catalan you can say “i llestos” (literaly, “and ready”) at the end of a sentence to convey the same meaning. In Catalan there’s also another possibility, which is “tal dia farà un any” (literally, “any day, a year will have passed by”) and it is used to downplay an issue.
Fancy that
Primarily heard in UK. Usually said when someone is surprised to hear or see something. In Catalan, you can say “Ves per on!” . It is a very Catalan expression quite difficult to translate. It literally means “Go along where!” or even, in not such a literal way, “I didn’t expect that coming!” .
Damp squib
See the meaning in the picture below. In Catalan, “un bluf” (literally, “a flop”).
Bugger off!
It means “Go away” . In Catalan you can say “fot el camp!” (literally, “fuck the field”. Yes, we know, it sounds kind of weird, but in Catalan it sounds very natural, although, come to think of it, it is quite rude).
Bugger off! Sod off! Fot el camp!
Sod off!
It also means “Go away” . In Catalan you can say “fot el camp“(see previous entry)
Fancy a few sherbets?
That’s an invitation to have some beers or spirits together. In Catalan, “Fem unes birres?” (literally, “let’s have some beers?”. The word sherbet apparently has a comedic effect when pronounced in a South London accent.
Can’t be arsed
It means “Cannot be bothered”, or that you don’t feel it worthwhile to make the effort of standing up and doing something. In Catalan, there is the slang expression “No em ratllis” (literally, “Don’t grate me”). This implies that you don’t feel like being bothered by someone.
What a cock up!
It means “What a mistake!” . In Catalan, you can say “Quina cagada!” (literally, “what a shit!” or “what a blunder!”) o “Quina ficada de pota!” (something along the lines of “Ooops, I’ve really put my foot in it!”).
I have to spend a penny
It means “I have to go to the toilet”. In Catalan “vaig a canviar l’aigua de les olives” (literally, “I’m going to change the water of my olives”).
What are you going on about?
It means “What are you talking about?”. In Catalan slang is “Què t’empatolles?” .
(S)He’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic
It means “(S)He is not very smart”. In Catalan, “és una mica curt/a de gambals” .
You’re a ledge
This is a shortening of the word “legend.” A legend is someone who is very good at something, even well-known, often for doing something great or incredible. In Catalan, “Ets un crack!” . Messi is a ledge! El Messi és un crack.
Bloody hell!
It is a curse to show that you are angry. There are many ways to translate this expression in Catalan, such as “Maleït sia!” (literally, “Damn it”) or “Em cago en tot!” (literally , “I shit on everything”).
Give me a tinkle on the blower
It means “Give me a call” or “ring me”. The phrase is often shortened to “give me a tinkle” . Many Catalans say “Fes-me un truc” (literally, “make me a call”). But watch out! If you ask a magician “Fes-me un truc”, you are actually asking them to do a magic trick for you.
It’s swings and roundabouts
This idiom has to do with life’s ups and downs, with gains and losses that offset each other. In Catalan there is an idiom that reads “Una de freda i una de calenta” (literally, “A cold one and a hot one”) which has the same meaning.
Tocat del Bolet is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.
Thank you for your attention. We look forward to your comments and questions. Nuts ~Tocat del bolet, Catalan culture crossing borders! Share this post!
