English proverbs, sayings and idiomatic expressions of the English language and their analogues in Russian.
English saying
"A Heart of Gold! - Golden heart!" Proverb this phrase reflecting some kind of life phenomenon. Proverb this is a complete offer., which also reflects a life phenomenon. Proverbs and sayings are idioms, they cannot be translated literally. When translating an English proverb or saying, it is necessary to choose the one that is appropriate in meaning and meaning. Idiom is a set word or phrase which cannot be divided into parts or words, since it carries meaning and meaning in the form in which it is used. Set (idiomatic) expressions are present in any language and bear the imprint of cultural and historical development people.
Proverbs and sayings
A friend in need is a friend indeed. - Friend is known in trouble.
All is well that ends well. - All is well that ends well.
East or West, home is best. - Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.
He laughs best who laughs last. - He who laughs last laughs best.
One swallow doesn't make a summer - One swallow does not make spring.
The devil is not so black as he is painted. - The devil is not as scary as he is painted.
There is no smoke without fire. - There is no smoke without fire.
Two heads are better than one. - Mind is good, but two is better.
Laughter is the best medicine. - Laughter is the best healer.
The exception proves the rule. - There are no rules without exception.
After dinner comes the reckoning. - You love to ride, love to carry sleds.
Nothing succeeds like success. - Success contributes to success.
Silence gives consent. - Silent means consent.
extremes meet. - Extremes meet.
A great ship asks deep waters. - Big ship big sailing.
Taste differ. - Tastes could not be discussed.
Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own. - Smart people learn from the mistakes of others, fools learn from their own.
Birds of a feather flock together. - Birds of a feather flock together.
Empty vessels make the greatest noise. - Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
The rotten apple injures its neighbours. - Rotten apple injures its neighbors.
A good beginning makes a good ending. - Down and Out trouble started.
Down and Out trouble started. This Russian proverb can be interpreted as follows: Starting any business is difficult, then it will be easier.
Fortune favors the bold. - Cheek brings success.
Practice makes perfect. - The work of the master is afraid.
Necessity is the mother of invention. - Need for inventions is cunning.
Praise makes good men better and bad men worse. - From praise good people get better and the bad get worse.
Appetite comes with food. - Appetite comes with eating.
Curses how the chickens came back home. - Do not dig a hole for another, you will fall into it yourself.
Every cook praises his own broth. - There is nothing like leather.
Little strokes fell great oaks. - Patience and a little effort.
One nail drives out another. - Fight fire with fire.
Bad news travel fast. - Bad news comes faster than good news.
Second thoughts are best. - Seven times measure cut once.
A Heart of Gold! - Golden heart!
The following English proverbs and sayings can be compared with several variants of Russian proverbs.
A burnt child dreads the fire.
- A frightened crow is afraid of a bush.
- If you burn yourself with milk, you will blow into the water.
The early bird catches the worm.
- Who gets up early, good luck awaits.
- Who gets up early, God gives him.
- The early bird cleans the sock, the late bird tears through the eyes.
Proverbs and sayings that require explanation.
Charity begins at home. In the UK, this idiom is interpreted as follows:
You should take care of your family and other people who live close to you before helping people who are living further away or in another country. - You must take care of your family and other people who live near you before helping people who live further away or in another country.
Proverbs and sayings in English for younger students
English proverbs and sayings
English proverbs and sayings and their Russian counterparts corresponding to them in meaning
English proverbs and sayings:
1. A bad corn promise is better than a good lawsuit.
2. A bargain is a bargain.
3. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
4. A bird may be known by its song.
5. A burden of one "s own choice is not felt.
6. A burnt child dreads the fire.
7. A cat in gloves catches no mice.
8. A drop in the bucket.
9. A fault confessed is half redressed.
10. A fly in the ointment.
11. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
12. A great ship asks deep waters.
13. A little body often harbors a great soul.
14. A man can do no more than he can.
15. A man is known by the company he keeps.
16. A new broom sweeps clean.
17. A silent fool is counted wise.
18. A sound mind in a sound body.
19. A thief knows a thief as a wolf knows a wolf.
20. A word spoken is past recalling.
21. After dinner comes the reckoning.
22. All that glitters is not gold.
23. All cats are gray in the dark.
24. All is well that ends well.
25. Among the blind the one-eyed man is king.
26. An evil chance seldom comes alone.
27. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening.
28. An ox is taken by the horns, and a man by the tongue.
29 Appetite comes with eating.
30. As like as two peas.
31. As the call, so the echo.
32. As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks.
33. As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.
34. As you sow, so shall you reap.
35. Before you make a friend eat a bushel of salt with him.
36. Better a lean peace than a fat victory.
37. Better be born lucky than rich.
38. Better late than never.
39. Between the cup and the lip a morsel may slip.
40. Beware of a silent dog and still water.
41. Business before pleasure.
42. Catch the bear before you sell his skin.
43. Circumstances alter cases.
44. Company in distress makes trouble less.
45. Cross the stream where it is shallowest.
46. Curses like chickens come home to roost.
47. Death when it comes will have no denial.
48. Diligence is the mother of success.
49. Do as you would be done by.
50. Dog does not eat dog.
51. Dogs that put up many hares kill none.
52. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.
53. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
54. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.
55. Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals.
56. East or West - home is best.
57. Every bird likes its own nest.
58. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
59. Every day is not Sunday.
60. Every man to his taste.
61. Everybody's business is nobody's business.
62. Everything is good in its season.
63. Evil communications corrupt good manners.
64. Fine words butter no parsnips.
65. Fish begins to stink at the head.
66. Fool's haste is no speed.
67. Fools never know when they are well.
68. Forbidden fruit is sweet.
69. Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself.
70. Good clothes open all doors.
71. Grasp all, lose all.
72. Habit cures habit.
73. He is lifeless that is faultless.
Russian equivalent of English proverbs and sayings
1. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
2. An agreement is more valuable than money.
3. Better a tit in the hands than a crane in the sky.
4. A bird is visible in flight.
5. Your burden does not pull.
6. If you burn yourself with milk, you will blow into the water.
7. You can’t even pull fish out of the pond without difficulty.
8. Drop in the sea.
9. The sword does not cut a guilty head.
10. Fly in the ointment in a barrel of honey.
11. Friends are known in trouble.
12. Big ship - a great voyage.
13. The spool is small, but expensive.
14. You can't jump above your head.
15. Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are.
16. A new broom sweeps well.
17. Be quiet - you will pass for a smart one.
18. A healthy mind in a healthy body.
19. The fisherman sees the fisherman from afar.
20. The word is not a sparrow, it will fly out - you won’t catch it.
21. You love to ride, love to carry sleds.
22. Not all that glitters is gold.
23. At night, all cats are gray.
24. All's well that ends well.
25. Fish for lack of fish and cancer.
26. Trouble has come, open the gate.
27. Morning is wiser than evening.
28. My tongue is my enemy.
29. Appetite comes with eating.
30. Like two drops of water.
31. As it comes around, it will respond.
32. The law is not written for fools.
33. Seven troubles - one answer.
34. What you sow, you will reap.
35. You recognize a person when you eat a pood of salt with him.
36. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
37. Do not be born beautiful, but be born happy.
38. Better late than never.
39. Don't say "hop" until you jump over.
40. There are devils in still waters.
41. Business time, fun hour.
42. Do not sell the skins without killing the bear.
43. Don't think ahead.
44. On the world and death is red.
45. Not knowing the ford, do not poke your head into the water.
46. Do not dig a hole for another, you yourself will fall into it.
47. You can't pay off death.
48. Patience and work will grind everything.
49. What you do not want for yourself, do not do to another.
50. A raven will not peck out a crow's eye.
51. If you chase two hares, you won't catch a single one.
52. Chickens are counted in the fall.
53. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
54. Do not wake famously while it is quiet.
55. What is on the mind of a sober person is on the tongue of a drunkard.
56. Away is good, but home is better.
57. Every sandpiper praises his swamp.
58. There is no evil without good.
59. Not all cats have carnival.
60. For taste, for color - there is no comrade.
61. Seven nannies have a child without an eye.
62. Everything has its time.
Every culture has its own set of wise sayings - advice about how to live. These statements are proverbs.
How can proverbs be used to learn English?
How to start understanding English by ear?It is very important to know what the most common English proverbs are about, because they can often be heard in everyday speech. Sometimes friends use proverbs to give each other useful advice. Very often someone says only a part of proverbs like:
You know what they say (You know how often they say:): when the going gets tough...
(Read the entire proverb #5 to understand the meaning.)
Also, knowledge of proverbs will give you an idea of how the English-speaking culture perceives the world.
The most English proverbs (English Proverbs)
This is a list of the most important common English proverbs. Under each of them we have made a simple explanation in Russian and a literal translation.
Since many proverbs have a huge amount of time, their meaning does not reflect the meaning, as in the Russian language.
1. "Two wrongs don't make a right."
Meaning: When someone did something bad to you, trying to get revenge can only make it worse.
Literal translation: Two misconceptions are not yet true
Russian analogue: Minus and minus is not always a plus.
2. "The pen is mightier than the sword."
Meaning: Trying to convince people that ideas and words are more effective than trying to force people to do what you want.
Literal translation: The pen (pen) is more powerful than the sword.
Russian analogue: What is written with a pen cannot be cut down with an ax. Evil tongues are worse than a gun.
3. "When in Rome, do as the Romans."
Meaning: Act like others do. This saying is often used abroad when foreign habits and customs differ from their own.
Literal translation: When in Rome, act like a Roman.
Russian analogue: They don’t go to visit with their samovar.
4. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."
Meaning: You can get better service if you complain about it. If you just endure inconvenience, then no one will help you. Something needs to be done to make a difference!
Literal translation: Lubricate first the wheel that creaks.
Russian analogue: A rolling stone gathers no moss. If you want to live, be able to spin.
5. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Meaning: Strong people do not give up when difficulties arise. They're starting to work harder!
Literal translation: ...
Russian analogue:- Close - yes slippery, far - yes easily.
6. "No man is an island."
Meaning: Nobody can be completely independent. Everyone needs the help of others.
Literal translation: Man is not an island.
Russian analogue: There is safety in numbers.
7. "Fortune favors the bold."
Meaning: People who dare not be afraid of difficulties are more successful than those who try to stay safe all the time.
Literal translation: Fate favors the brave
Russian analogue: Fortune accompanies the brave. Cheek brings success.
8. "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones."
Meaning: Do not criticize people when you yourself are not perfect. .
Literal translation: He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones at others.
Russian analogue: We see a mote in someone else's eye, but we do not notice a log in our own.
9. "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."
Meaning: Bad things happen, so be prepared for it.
Literal translation: Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst
Russian analogue: Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
10. "Better late than never."
Meaning: It's better to do something on time. But if you don’t get it on time, do it anyway, albeit late.
Literal translation: Better late than never.
Russian analogue: Better late than never.
11. "Birds of a feather flock together."
Meaning: People love spending time with people who look like them.
Literal translation: Birds of the same plumage come together
Russian analogue: Birds of a feather flock together.
12. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Meaning: If you have an enemy, then pretend to be his friend instead of direct hostility. This way you can understand his weaknesses and what he is planning.
Literal translation:
Russian analogue: Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.
13. "A picture is worth a thousand words."
Meaning: Photos convey emotions more than text or voice. That's why we have Visual English :)
Literal translation: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Russian analogue: It is better to see once than hear a hundred times.
16. "Discretion is the greater part of value."
Meaning: Sometimes it's important to know when to stop and move on, instead of continuing a pointless fight and only dragging out an unfavorable outcome.
Literal translation: Caution is the best part of courage.
Russian analogue: Hurry up, make people laugh. Not knowing the ford, do not poke your head into the water.
17. "The early bird catches the worm."
Meaning: You have to get up early in the morning to be successful.
Literal translation: Early bird to catch all the worms
Russian analogue: Who gets up early, God gives him.
18. "Never look a gift horse in the mouth."
Meaning: When someone gives you something, don't ask too many questions about the gift.
Literal translation:
Russian analogue: They do not look at a given horse's teeth.
19. "You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs."
Meaning: When you strive to do something, there will probably be a few people who will be angry and annoyed by this. Don't pay attention - focus on the result.
Literal translation: You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Russian analogue: You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
20. "God helps those who help themselves."
Meaning: Don't wait for good things to happen on their own. Work hard to achieve your goals.
Literal translation: God helps those who help themselves.
Russian analogue: Trust in God, but don't make a mistake yourself. God saves man, who save himself.
21. "You can't always get what you want."
Meaning: Do not cry and complain if you did not get what you expected (wanted).
Literal translation: You can't always get what you want
Russian analogue: Not always a Maslenitsa cat.
22. "Cleanliness is next to godliness."
Meaning: Be clean.
Literal translation: Purity Follows Piety
Russian analogue: In a healthy body healthy mind.
23. "A watched pot never boils."
Meaning: If something is about to happen, there is no need to think about it, because it may seem that it will take forever.
Literal translation: While you are looking at the kettle, it will not boil.
Russian analogue: Whoever stands over the kettle does not boil it. The pot that is being watched is the last to boil.
24. "Beggars can't be choosers."
Meaning: If you ask someone for something, then you need to take whatever is offered.
Literal translation: Beggars don't choose.
Russian analogue: Nobody has to choose.
25. "Actions speak louder than words."
Meaning: Just saying that you will do something means nothing. Real “doing” is much more complicated than you think.
Literal translation: Actions speak louder than words.
Russian analogue: The deeds speak for themselves.
26. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Meaning: Don't try to fix what works well anyway.
Literal translation: If it's not broken, don't fix it.
Russian analogue: Good is not sought from good.
27. "Practice makes perfect."
Meaning: You have to practice to get better at what you do.
Literal translation: Practice leads to perfection.
Russian analogue: Repetition is the mother of learning.
28. "Too many cooks spoil the broth."
Meaning: When too many people try to be bossy it gives bad results.
Literal translation: Too many cooks will spoil the broth.
Russian analogue: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
29. "Easy come, easy go."
Meaning: The money that was acquired the easy way just as easily disappears.
Literal translation: Easy Come Easy Go.
Russian analogue: Easy found, easy lost. God gave, God took.
30. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Meaning: If someone helps you, be careful not to say something bad and not to anger the well-wisher.
Literal translation: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Russian analogue: Don't drink the bough you're sitting on. Don't spit in the well - you'll need to drink water.
31. "All good things must come to an end."
Meaning: You cannot be lucky forever, someday it will stop.
Literal translation: All good things come to an end.
Russian analogue: All good things come to an end.
32. "If you can" t beat "em, join "em."
Meaning: It may not work to try to change someone, you may have to change yourself.
Literal translation: If you can't win, join.
Russian analogue: Can't fight, then lead.
33. "One man's trash is another man's treasure."
Meaning: Different people have different values.
Literal translation: Garbage for one person is treasure for another.
Russian analogue: What is good for a Russian is death for a German.
35. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Meaning: Different people have different ideas about beauty. .
Literal translation: Beauty is in the eye of the one who looks
Russian analogue: Every man to his own taste.
36. "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Meaning: When you are really in need, then a creative solution is sought.
Literal translation: Need is the mother of invention.
Russian analogue: Need for inventions is cunning.
37. "A penny saved is a penny earned."
Meaning: Saving money is like making money.
Literal translation: A penny saved is a penny earned.
Russian analogue: A penny saves a ruble.
38. "Familiarity breeds contempt."
Meaning: When someone is near you for an annoyingly long time, you get tired of him.
Literal translation: Familiarity breeds contempt
Russian analogue:
39. "You can't judge a book by its cover."
Meaning: Many things look worse than they really are (and vice versa).
Literal translation: Do not judge a book by its cover.
Russian analogue: Meet by clothes, see off by mind.
40. "Good things come to those who wait."
Meaning: Be patient.
Literal translation: Good things come to those who wait.
Russian analogue:
41. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket."
Meaning: Have a backup plan.
Literal translation:
Russian analogue: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
42. "Two heads are better than one."
Meaning: When two people cooperate, the likelihood of a good idea is increased.
Literal translation:
Russian analogue: One head it's good, but two better.
43. "The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill."
Meaning: People tend to want what they don't have.
Literal translation: The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill.
Russian analogue: Well, where we do not.
44. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Meaning: Do no harm to people.
Literal translation: Do to others the way you would like them to do to you.
Russian analogue: As it comes around - so it will respond.
45. "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."
Meaning: If someone shows bad results, then the whole team is at risk.
Literal translation: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Russian analogue: Where it is thin - there it breaks.
46. "Honesty is the best policy."
Meaning: Do not lie.
Honesty is the best policy.
Russian analogue: Eat bread and salt, but cut the truth.
47. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Meaning: Sometimes it's good to be far away from your loved one in order to experience the joy of meeting again.
Literal translation: Separation strengthens feelings
Russian analogue: Separation for love is like the wind for a spark: it will extinguish a small one, and make a big one even stronger.
48. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can"t make him drink."
Meaning: If you're trying to help someone and they don't, drop it. You cannot force someone to accept your help.
Literal translation: You can take a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
Russian analogue:
49. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."
Meaning: Wait for success before planning the next result.
Literal translation: Don't count the chicks until they hatch.
Russian analogue: They count chickens in the fall. Do not divide the skin of an unkilled bear.
50. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."
Meaning: Don't trust others to do important things for you.
Literal translation:
Russian analogue: If you want to do something well, do it yourself.
Proverbs and sayings are short but meaningful statements that reflect some kind of worldly wisdom or advice. A proverb is a complete sentence, and a saying is a brightly colored phrase. They are much more used in everyday speech than you might think. This is because sometimes we almost unconsciously use them. Many of them are very concise and literally fall off the tongue in certain situations.
Why is it important to know English proverbs and sayings?
- It's just interesting. They reflect the worldview of the people, their culture, and this aspect is very important for the language learner.
- Communicating in English in real life, we often reinforce our words with some examples and arguments, and proverbs are something that is very difficult to argue with, because they are pearls of worldly wisdom.
- If you appropriately use this or that saying in the English exam, you will definitely increase your score.
See how an example of an answer with a proverb to a simple question sounds:
Examiner : tell me about you hometown?
Candidate 1 : My home town is N. It is small but beautiful and I like it very much.
Candidate 2 : My home town is N. It is small but beautiful and, you know, people say there's no place like home. I believe it's really so...
Examiner: Tell me about your hometown.
Candidate 1: My hometown– N. It is small, but beautiful, and I like it very much.
Candidate 2: My hometown is N. It is small, but beautiful, and you know, they say that visiting is good, but home is better. I think it really is...
We bring to your attention 10 proverbs and sayings that are very popular both in English and in Russian:
| Proverb / saying | Russian equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To each his own. | To each his own. | His brother is a worthy and he's just good-for-nothing! Well, to each of his own.
His brother is a respected person, but he is just a bum! Well, to each his own. |
| Every cloud has a silver lining. | There is no bad without good. | She met her husband-to-be during the war – every cloud has a silver lining.
She met her future husband during the war - there is a blessing in disguise. |
| As you sow you shall mow. | What goes around comes around. | It's not surprising you couldn't pass the exam – you didn't prepare at all! As you sow you shall mow.
No wonder you failed the exam: you didn't prepare at all. What goes around comes around. |
| nothing ventured nothing gained. | Who does not take risks does not drink champagne. | Take a risk and remember that nothing ventured nothing gained.
Take risks and remember: who does not take risks does not drink champagne. |
| love is blind. | Love is blind. | James is using her and she believes his every word. love is blind!
James uses her, and she believes his every word. Love is blind! |
| time is money. | Time is money. | We have no minute to be lost. time is money.
We don't have a minute to lose. Time is money. |
| Haste makes waste. | Hurry up and make people laugh. | Do the task slowly and carefully – haste makes waste.
Do the task slowly and carefully. Hurry up and make people laugh. |
| Ignorance is bliss. | Ignorance is a blessing. | She never asks her patron extra questions – she thinks ignorance is bliss.
She never asks her patron unnecessary questions, she thinks that ignorance is good. |
| Better late than never. | Better late than never. | I'm calling to congratulate you on your new appointment. I'm sorry that I'm doing it just now but better late than never.
I'm calling you to congratulate you on your new assignment. I'm sorry I'm only doing this now, but better late than never. |
| Easy come, easy go. | Easily acquired - easily lived. | He won a fortune in a lottery and then lost it all in a casino – easy come, easy go.
He won a fortune in the lottery and then lost it all in the casino. Easily acquired - easily lived. |
This video presents some of the above proverbs with additional explanation and examples:
And in conclusion, we propose to pass a small test to consolidate the material.
Test
Proverbs and sayings in English for every day
Hello! Proverbs are the oldest genre of folklore. Every nation has them, even the most ancient ones - Romans, Greeks, Egyptians. They contain the wisdom of ancestors, practical philosophy, rules of life and morality, historical memory. Russian proverbs and their English equivalents reflect the experience of the Slavic and English peoples, respectively, in various areas of life.
ProverbsDue to their emotionality and figurativeness, proverbs are very often used in various types of conversations and texts in English. At the same time, when translating English proverbs found in an authentic text into Russian, difficulties often arise, since their meaning is not always clear to us, and bilingual dictionaries do not often give their interpretation. How to overcome the difficulties of translation?
For example, the proverb " a fool and his money are soon parted ” is not understandable to Russian speakers. Even knowing her translation " a fool and his money are often divided Its meaning and uses remain a mystery to us. And it means something like this - a stupid person who spends money thoughtlessly or too quickly. Then everything falls into place. But it is better to find equivalents in both languages, the meaning of which you will not doubt.
Since our native language is Russian, it is easier for us to apply the statement that we have known since childhood. However, as we found out, literal translation sometimes distorts not only the form, but also the meaning of what was said. Therefore, if you want to figuratively express your thoughts in English, then I recommend that you use the equivalents of Russian proverbs in English, which you can find in this article.
I compared a large number of Russian and English proverbs in terms of meaning and lexical composition. Thus, I have identified two groups:
Equivalent in usage, lexical composition and meaning- these are proverbs that, with an exact translation, do not lose their meaning, are used in both languages in the same case:
Easier said than done
Be easier said than doneOne head it's good, but two better
Two heads are better than oneBetter late than never
Better late than neverHe who laughs last laughs best
Not who laughs last laughs longestThe spirit is strong but the flesh is weak
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weakStrike while the iron is hot
Strike while the iron is hot
However, most English folk sayings are radically different in lexical composition.
Equivalents in meaning and application only- these are proverbs with a completely different translation, which is natural for an excellent lexical composition, but the general meaning of the phrase is similar in meaning and the situation in which these expressions are used. This group is of greater interest to us:
What goes around comes around
A bad beginning makes a bad ending
(A bad start leads to a bad end)A bad peace is better than a good quarrel
A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit
(A bad compromise is better than a good litigation)Who gets up early, God gives him
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
(Woke up early and went to bed early - you will be healthy, rich and smart)Who does not plan his own victory, he plans someone else's
Failing to plan is planning to fail
(Not planning is planning to fail)Trust in God, but don't make a mistake yourself
good fences make good neighbors
(Behind a good fence - good neighbors)
Read more Analogues of Russian proverbs in English
Abbreviations of English proverbs
Very often, long proverbs in oral speech are reduced. This figure is called the default technique. For example, we do not fully pronounce the expression when we want to say that we have to do something to get what we want: “Without difficulty ...” or “Under a lying stone ...”, and then it’s clear what the interlocutor wants to say, and no the need to complete the sentence.
In English, the whole expression is also not pronounced if it is too long. With the help of the default figure, proverbs such as:
- And rolling stone...
- Well, here's a silver lining...
- Well, a bird in the hand, you know…
- when the cat's away…
- Birds of a feather…
By the way, the expression "Silence is golden" is also an abbreviated form. In the full version in English, this phrase looks like this: Speech is silver; silence is golden ».
However, this option is good only if both interlocutors have a good command of the language and know the folklore of the people in whose language they communicate. That is, in order to understand the abbreviated version, you need to know this expression in full. Therefore, when using abbreviation, make sure that the interlocutor understands you correctly, and does not think of anything for himself.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you a cool mood and a good day! Till!