English grammar
Proverbs: fixed sayings with a moral
Recognise and use common English proverbs.
From the scene A bird in the hand
In short
Quote a proverb whole and never change it. People often say only the first half: Well, every cloud…
Your turn
Which one goes with take the sure thing now?
Options: least said, soonest mended · a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush · every cloud has a silver lining
Show answer
take the sure thing now → a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
How it works
A proverb is quoted whole and never changed: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (never "are worth", never "a bush").
Good to know
The image is often different from the one in your language, so learn the English saying as a block.
Good to know
People often drop the second half, as everyone knows it: "Well, every cloud…".
something good comes out of something bad every cloud has a silver lining
Tomás
Well, every cloud has a silver lining. Now we'll make it funny.
Bueno, no hay mal que por bien no venga. Ahora lo hacemos gracioso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank). Now we'll make it funny.
Options: least said, soonest mended · every cloud has a silver lining · a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Show answer
Tomás
Well, every cloud has a silver lining. Now we'll make it funny.
Bueno, no hay mal que por bien no venga. Ahora lo hacemos gracioso.
take the sure thing now a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Elena
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The thousand euros, now.
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando. Los mil euros, ahora.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). The thousand euros, now.
Options: Least said, soonest mended · A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush · Every cloud has a silver lining
Show answer
Elena
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The thousand euros, now.
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando. Los mil euros, ahora.
the less you say, the sooner it is forgotten least said, soonest mended
Elena
Tomás, least said, soonest mended.
Tomás, en boca cerrada no entran moscas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tomás, (blank).
Options: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush · least said, soonest mended · every cloud has a silver lining
Show answer
Elena
Tomás, least said, soonest mended.
Tomás, en boca cerrada no entran moscas.
start early and you will succeed the early bird catches the worm
Tomás
We'll carry on tomorrow at six. The early bird catches the worm.
Mañana seguimos a las seis. A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
We'll carry on tomorrow at six. (blank).
Options: Every cloud has a silver lining · A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush · The early bird catches the worm
Show answer
Tomás
We'll carry on tomorrow at six. The early bird catches the worm.
Mañana seguimos a las seis. A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
rushing slows you down more haste, less speed
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| something good comes out of something bad | every cloud has a silver lining |
|---|---|
| take the sure thing now | a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush |
| the less you say, the sooner it is forgotten | least said, soonest mended |
| start early and you will succeed | the early bird catches the worm |
| rushing slows you down | more haste, less speed |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd she offers a thousand euros now or more if it sells.Y ofrece mil euros ahora o más si se vende.
- ElenaOf course, dear. I use whichever one suits me.Claro, cariño. Yo uso el que me conviene.