6 Sayings beginning with R


Rags to rags in three generations

Possible interpretation: The first generation in a family makes money (goes from rags to riches); the second generation holds or keeps the money; and the third generation squanders or loses the money (and so goes back to rags).

Note: rags (noun) = old, tattered clothes | generation (noun) = all of the people born and living at about the same time; a set of members of a family born and living at about the same time

Quick Quiz:

"Rags to rags in three generations" could be said to be a cynical observation about
  1. rags
  2. clothing
  3. money

Answer:  c


Revenge is a dish best served cold

Possible interpretation: This saying suggests that if someone does something bad to us, it is better to pay them back later in time, not immediately. Vengeance may be more satisfying if it is not inflicted immediately.

Note: revenge (noun) = the act of hurting or harming someone in retaliation for a bad act received from them; payback | dish (noun) = food

Quick Quiz:

"Revenge is a dish best served cold" is a proverb suggesting that payback is most satisfying when exacted
  1. immediately
  2. never
  3. at a later date

Answer:  c


Revenge is sweet

Possible interpretation: When someone does something bad to us, we get a good feeling when we do something bad back to them.

Note: revenge (noun) = the action of hurting someone in return for something bad they have done to us | sweet (adj.) = very satisfying; gratifying | Like "Revenge is a dish best served cold" this is another proverb praising the virtues of revenge.

Quick Quiz:

Bob smiled and thought to himself "Revenge is sweet" after his employers dismissed him unfairly and he
  1. deleted all the data on the company's servers
  2. received good severance pay
  3. found a new job immediately

Answer:  a


Riches have wings

Possible interpretation: Money can disappear easily. Money is like a bird with wings: it can fly away if you are not careful.

Note: riches (noun) = great wealth; a lot of money | wing (noun) = the part of a bird's body that allows it to fly

Quick Quiz:

People say that "riches have wings" because, if you are not careful, your money can
  1. make more money
  2. fly up in the air
  3. easily leave you

Answer:  c


Rome wasn't built in a day

Possible interpretation: All things take time to create. And great things like the city of Rome take a very long time. So we shouldn't expect to accomplish something or achieve success immediately.

Note: Rome (proper noun) = the capital city of Italy, founded according to tradition by Romulus in 753 BC | built = constructed; made

Quick Quiz:

Angela told her son that "Rome wasn't built in a day" when he
  1. said that the flight to Rome was going to be late
  2. complained that his new website was taking a long time to create
  3. asked how long it took the Romans to build Rome

Answer:  b


Rules are made to be broken

Possible interpretation: This saying implies that there are times when we should think for ourselves and not obey every rule blindly.

Quick Quiz:

The saying "Rules are made to be broken" invites us to
  1. use our intelligence in following rules
  2. rely on the intelligence of those who made the rules
  3. break all rules

Answer:  a