37 Sayings beginning with T


Talk of the Devil, and he is bound to appear

Possible interpretation: 1. Speaking about the Devil may invite him to come. 2. We often say "Talk of the devil!" (or "Speak of the devil!") when somebody that we have just been speaking about suddenly appears.

Note: devil (noun): (in Jewish and Christian belief, usually "the Devil") the chief evil spirit or Satan; an evil spirit; a demon | bound to (adj.): certain to | appear (verb): become visible; arrive

Quick Quiz:

You might say "Talk of the devil!" when your boss suddenly arrives
  1. in your local pub
  2. while you are discussing him
  3. while you are discussing religion

Answer:  b


Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you are

Possible interpretation: This proverb suggests that like minds stick together. If I know who your friends are, I know what your character is.


Quick Quiz:

"Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you are" because I will then know
  1. which friends you like
  2. what you are like
  3. what your friends are like

Answer:  b


The best advice is found on the pillow

Possible interpretation: If we have a problem, we may find the answer after a good night's sleep. People also often say: "I'll sleep on it."

Note: advice (noun) = recommendation as to what to do | pillow (noun) = cushion that you rest your head on while you sleep

Quick Quiz:

If "the best advice is found on the pillow", when we have a problem and need advice we should
  1. look at a pillow
  2. wait a night or two
  3. consult a pillow-maker

Answer:  b


The best things in life are free

Possible interpretation: We don't have to pay for the things that are really valuable, like love, friendship and good health.

Quick Quiz:

"The best things in life are free" is a saying suggesting that
  1. the best thing of all is freedom
  2. money cannot buy life's best things
  3. you should help yourself to what you want

Answer:  b


The darkest hour is always before dawn

Possible interpretation: This proverb says that just before the sun rises the sky is at its blackest, suggesting that when times are at their worst for us they will soon get better.

Note: dawn (noun) = the time of day when the sun comes up

Quick Quiz:

You might say "the darkest hour is always before dawn" to a friend
  1. going through a bad patch
  2. who has just lost their car keys
  3. you haven't seen for years

Answer:  a


The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose

Possible interpretation: 1) Bad people can appear to be good to achieve their objective. 2) Even good things can be twisted to achieve bad ends.

Note: devil (noun) = (in Jewish and Christian belief, usually "the Devil") the chief evil spirit or Satan; an evil or cruel person; a trouble-maker or self-willed person | cite (verb) = quote (words from a book etc) to support an argument | Scripture (noun - also scripture or Scriptures) = the Bible; the holy writings of a religion | purpose (noun) = requirements; objective

Origin: Spoken by Antonio in "The Merchant of Venice", written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616):
Mark you this, Bassanio,
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
A goodly apple rotten at the heart:
O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

Quick Quiz:

If "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose", why would he do that?
  1. to show off
  2. to curry favour with God
  3. to disguise his intentions

Answer:  c


The Devil sometimes speaks the truth

Possible interpretation: 1) Sometimes what Satan says is true, to make us more ready to believe his lies. 2) Don't believe everything at face value. Be aware that liars can use the truth to trick us.

Note: devil (noun): (in Jewish and Christian belief, usually "the Devil") the chief evil spirit or Satan | truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality.

Quick Quiz:

"The Devil sometimes speaks the truth" in order to
  1. enlighten us
  2. confuse us
  3. look bad

Answer:  b


The early bird catches the worm

Possible interpretation: Birds that wake early in the morning will find worms to eat, but birds that wake late will find no worms. The saying suggests that the same is true for us in life. If we do something early, before other people, we will be successful.

Note: worm (noun) = a small animal with a thin, soft body and no legs or arms, like a tiny snake

Quick Quiz:

If "the early bird catches the worm", it's best to start new projects
  1. on a Monday morning
  2. shortly after midnight
  3. at the earliest practicable moment

Answer:  c


The end justifies the means

Possible interpretation: If our objective is good, then it doesn't matter if the way we achieve it is bad or wrong or evil.

Note: end (noun) = goal; objective; result | justify (verb) = prove or show to be reasonable or right | means (noun) = method; way of doing something | Conflicting proverb: "Never do evil that good may come of it."

Quick Quiz:

The government says that "the end justifies the means," so killing one thousand people to save one million people will
  1. be acceptable
  2. be unacceptable
  3. have no meaning

Answer:  a


The greater the sinner, the greater the saint

Possible interpretation: 1) If a bad person can become good, a very bad person can become very good. Someone with great energy for doing bad, may, when he chooses, apply it equally to doing good. 2) Converts are the most zealous. In a day-to-day sense, for example, someone who has given up smoking may preach more about the virtues of not smoking than someone who never smoked.

Note: sinner (noun) = a person who breaks the law of God | saint (noun) = a person considered to be holy and virtuous (especially by the Church)

Origin: This paradoxical and controversial saying dates back many years and seems to have no theological grounding. It may have been invented to justify the actions of a historical personage (to wit Robert the First Duke of Normandy).

Quick Quiz:

The saying "The greater the sinner, the greater the saint" implies that bad people
  1. can become good people
  2. can never become good people
  3. are better than good people

Answer:  a


The nearer the Church, the farther from God

Possible interpretation: 1) The implication is that those who are most involved in any religious system, its organizers and high priests, are in danger of separating themselves from God. 2) If written as "The nearer the church, the farther from God", the implication might be a warning about placing too much importance on material buildings, and a reminder that God is everywhere.

Note: church (noun) = a building where Christians worship God | the Church (noun) = a Christian organization (for example, the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of England) | farther or further (adverb) = more distant | Compare Eastern proverb: "The nearer the temple, the farther from The Buddha." | Compare Yiddish proverb: "The nearer the synagogue, the farther from God."

Quick Quiz:

The saying "The nearer the church, the farther from God" may suggest that God
  1. lives in a church
  2. lives near a church
  3. is omnipresent

Answer:  c


The pen is mightier than the sword

Possible interpretation: This proverb suggests that written material like books or poetry has more influence than fighting or war. We may also understand from it that ideas (as often set down in writing) are more effective than violence.

Note: pen (noun) = a tool or instrument for writing | mighty (mightier, mightiest) (adj.) = very powerful | sword (noun) = a long, sharp, heavy weapon, like a very large knife

Quick Quiz:

If "the pen is mightier than the sword", which of the following is most powerful?
  1. an idea
  2. a nuclear bomb
  3. a long knife

Answer:  a


The rich knows not who is his friend

Possible interpretation: When you have money, you don't know if people are friendly with you because they like you, or because they like your money. The structure of this saying is difficult. In normal English it would be something like: "Rich people do not know who their friends are."

Note: (in this saying) the rich (noun) = the rich person | (normally) the rich (noun) = rich people; people who have a lot of money

Quick Quiz:

A wealthy person who believes that the saying "The rich knows not who is his friend" is true, cannot be sure which of his friends are
  1. sincere
  2. rich
  3. fake

Answer:  a


The road to hell is paved with good intentions

Possible interpretation: 1) People who believe they are doing good can end up doing bad (the law of unintended consequences). 2) There is no value in simply planning to do good if you don't actually do it.

Note: hell (noun) = (according to various religions) a place of suffering where bad people go after death | paved with = covered with; constructed with; made of | intention (noun) = a plan; an aim

Origin: This proverb may have its roots in a statement in French by St Bernard of Clairvaux (c.1150): "L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés ou désirs." ("Hell is full of good intentions or desires.")

Quick Quiz:

The saying "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" may suggest that we should
  1. plan good actions
  2. put our good intentions into action
  3. repave the road

Answer:  b


The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak

Possible interpretation: Even though we may want to say "No" to temptation (doing something bad), our body may be unable to resist it.

Note: spirit (noun): the non-physical part of a person (including emotions and character); the soul | willing (adj.): ready or happy to do something | flesh (noun): the physical part of a person; the body; the outer surface of the body

Origin: This proverb is based on a verse in the Bible (Matthew 26:41): "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak."

Quick Quiz:

In the proverb "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak", the word "flesh" refers to our
  1. skin
  2. physical body
  3. mind

Answer:  b


The squeaking wheel gets the grease

Possible interpretation: The person who makes the most fuss gets all the attention.

Note: squeak (verb): make a high-pitched sound | wheel (noun): a round, revolving object below a vehicle (for example, most cars have four wheels) | grease (noun): a thick, oily substance used to lubricate | This saying is also found as (and possibly originated as): "The wheel that does the squeaking is the one that gets the grease."

Quick Quiz:

On the principle that "the squeaking wheel gets the grease", who is most likely to get their money back after a bad meal in a restaurant? The customer who
  1. immediately complains loudly in front of all other customers
  2. writes a polite letter of complaint a week later
  3. leaves his meal unfinished, saying quietly that he feels sick

Answer:  a


The tide must be taken when it comes

Possible interpretation: We should use all opportunities when they come, before it's too late.

Note: (the) tide (noun) = the rising and falling of the sea caused by the attraction of the moon and sun | Compare: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune..." (from "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare 1564-1616)

Origin: Ships (especially in the old days) often need a high tide to leave or enter port. Man cannot control the tide, so when it comes ships have to use the opportunity it gives them without delay.

Quick Quiz:

"The tide must be taken when it comes" is a saying suggesting that we
  1. wait for opportunities
  2. look for opportunities
  3. act on opportunities

Answer:  c


The wages of sin is death

Possible interpretation: If we sin we die. ("Death" here refers not to physical death but to spiritual death or eternal damnation.)

Note: wages (noun) = the result of doing something considered unwise or wrong (this is a rare, figurative use of the word "wages" which is normally the plural form of "wage", a regular payment for work) | sin (noun) = an immoral act considered to be against the law of God

Origin: The Bible (Romans 6:23): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Quick Quiz:

"The wages of sin is death" is
  1. a principle of economics
  2. a saying based on a quotation
  3. grammatically incorrect

Answer:  b


The way to a man's heart is through his stomach

Possible interpretation: Many women have won a man's love by cooking delicious meals for him. They fed his stomach and found love in his heart.

Note: way (noun): path; route | stomach (noun): the part of your body in which food is first digested

Quick Quiz:

If "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach", a woman may gain a man's affections with
  1. flattery
  2. money
  3. food

Answer:  c


The wish is father to the thought

Possible interpretation: Our opinions or beliefs are often influenced by our desires and hopes. The phrase "father to" is used in the sense of parentage: the thought is born from the wish.

Note: wish (noun): desire, hope | thought (noun): an idea or opinion in the mind

Origin: This proverb is based on Shakespeare's King Henry IV Part 2 (1597):
Prince Henry (Harry):
I never thought to hear you speak again.

King Henry IV:
Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought:
I stay too long by thee, I weary thee.

Quick Quiz:

The saying "The wish is father to the thought" suggests that the way we think may depend on
  1. things that are further away
  2. what we want to happen
  3. how our parents think

Answer:  b


There are two sides to every question

Possible interpretation: In any dispute or discussion, we should acknowledge that people have different points of view.

Note: side (noun) = position; attitude; opinion | question (noun) = debate; argument; problem to be resolved

Quick Quiz:

If "there are two sides to every question", this saying
  1. must be true
  2. may be true
  3. cannot be true

Answer:  b


There is a time to speak and a time to be silent

Possible interpretation: We should know when to say something and when to say nothing.

Origin: Like many "There is a time..." proverbs, this proverb is based on the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3):
  1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
  2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
  3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
  4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
  5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
  6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
  7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
  8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Quick Quiz:

The proverb "There is a time to speak and a time to be silent" urges us to
  1. speak quietly
  2. speak at the appropriate time
  3. never say anything

Answer:  b


There is safety in numbers

Possible interpretation: You are safer as part of a group of people than as an individual. Being in a group makes people more confident about taking action.

Note: safety (noun) = security; a situation free from danger | numbers (noun) = a large quantity (of people)

Origin: Possibly an allusion to the Bible (Proverbs 11:14): "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Quick Quiz:

If you think that "there is safety in numbers", you will feel more secure
  1. surrounded by friends
  2. alone at home
  3. studying mathematics

Answer:  a


There is truth in wine

Possible interpretation: When people are drunk, what they say is often true. People often speak the truth when they lose their self-control.

Note: truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality | wine (noun): an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grape juice

Origin: This proverb has Greek and Roman roots, and is often expressed in its Latin form: In vino, veritas.

Quick Quiz:

If "there is truth in wine", somebody is most likely to lie when they are:
  1. not drunk
  2. half drunk
  3. completely drunk

Answer:  a


There's no such thing as a free lunch

Possible interpretation: We cannot get something for nothing. We must pay for everything. Nothing in life is free.

Origin: Often attributed to the American economist and Nobel Prize winner Milton Friedman (1912-2006), this saying was around at least by the 1950s. Friedman popularized but did not originate it.

Variety: This is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz:

If "there's no such thing as a free lunch", everything has
  1. an end
  2. a cost
  3. a maker

Answer:  b


There's one law for the rich, and another for the poor

Possible interpretation: The legal system treats people with money better than people without money.

Note: (the) law (noun) = the system of rules recognized and enforced in a particular country | the rich (noun) = people with money; wealthy people | the poor (noun) = people without money; impoverished people

Quick Quiz:

A society where "there's one law for the rich, and another for the poor" could be described as
  1. democratic
  2. fair
  3. unfair

Answer:  c


They also serve who only stand and wait

Possible interpretation: We all have a place in this world and we all perform a function, regardless of our ability or disability. The word order of this sentence may make it more difficult to understand. In normal English it would be something like: "They (those people) who only stand and wait, also serve."

Note: serve (verb) = do duties or services for other people | stand (verb) = have an upright position on one's feet | wait (verb) = do nothing until something happens

Origin: Quotation from the great English poet John Milton (1608-74). After going blind, Milton wrote the poem "On His Blindness". In the sonnet's last line, he reflects that even with his disability he has a place in the world:
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.

Quick Quiz:

"They also serve who only stand and wait" suggests that we all have a place in this world whether or not we have
  1. any disabilities
  2. waited a long time
  3. served a long time

Answer:  a


They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind

Possible interpretation: A warning that we must expect to suffer serious consequences as the result of our own bad actions. We get back what we give out.

Note: sow (verb) = plant seed in the earth | reap (verb) = gather a harvest; pick the plants (that have grown from the seeds) | whirlwind (noun) = a fast and violent wind moving around in a circle

Origin: The idea of cause and effect is expressed by several religions or philosophies. This particular proverb is an allusion to The Bible (Hosea 8:7): "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..."

Quick Quiz:

The proverb "They that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind" expresses an idea shared by several
  1. concepts
  2. religions
  3. climates

Answer:  b


Things are not always what they seem

Possible interpretation: Things may look like one thing but be another thing. This saying is often applied to situations, not just things or people.

Note: seem (verb) = give the impression of having a particular quality

Quick Quiz:

"Things are not always what they seem" because they
  1. are always unseemly
  2. always deceive you
  3. sometimes deceive you

Answer:  c


Time and tide wait for no man

Possible interpretation: 1) Nobody can stop the progression of time. 2) We should act on favourable opportunities immediately, without delay.

Note: tide (noun) = the rising and falling of the sea caused by the attraction of the moon and sun | The real meaning of "tide" in this saying may originally have been the same as "time".

Quick Quiz:

In relation to time, "Time and tide wait for no man" is a saying about man's
  1. impotence
  2. timelessness
  3. impatience

Answer:  a


Too many cooks spoil the broth

Possible interpretation: Sometimes it is better to have one or a few people do a job than to have many people do it. If too many people are involved, the task will not be done well.

Note: broth = soup

This proverb seems to contradict the saying: "Many hands make light work."

Quick Quiz:

"Too many cooks spoil the broth" is a saying about
  1. cookery
  2. soup
  3. tasks

Answer:  c


Truth has no answer

Possible interpretation: It is difficult to argue against facts. We cannot refute what is true.

Note: truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality

Quick Quiz:

The saying "Truth has no answer" suggests that facts
  1. cannot be ignored
  2. cannot be an answer
  3. are not always true

Answer:  a


Truth is stranger than fiction

Possible interpretation: Real life can be more amazing and difficult to believe than made-up stories.

Note: truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality | strange (adjective): unusual or surprising in a way that is hard to understand | fiction (noun): literature such as short stories and novels; any invented story | This saying is also found as: "Fact is stranger than fiction."

Quick Quiz:

According to the saying "Truth is stranger than fiction", which of these is likely to contain the most unbelievable events?
  1. cowboy films
  2. reality TV shows
  3. TV news shows

Answer:  c


Truth needs no colors

Possible interpretation: Facts are facts. What is true is true, and it does not need decoration.

Note: truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality

Quick Quiz:

If you believe the saying "Truth needs no colours", you will state the truth
  1. as flamboyantly as possible
  2. as truly as possible
  3. as simply as possible

Answer:  c


Truth will out

Possible interpretation: In the end, what is true will come to be known. The truth always appears eventually, despite all efforts to hide it. It is impossible to keep something secret forever.

Note: truth (noun): what is factual; what is in accordance with reality | out (verb): come out; go out; emerge | There is another saying with the same form: "Murder will out."

Origin: This saying was already recorded in England by the 15th century; and it appears in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice (1596): "Truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man's son may, but in the end truth will out."

Quick Quiz:

If it is true that "truth will out", then lies
  1. cannot last
  2. will out too
  3. eventually become truth

Answer:  a


Two heads are better than one

Possible interpretation: Two people can usually solve a problem more easily than one person.

Quick Quiz:

"Two heads are better than one" is a saying suggesting that
  1. all people have heads
  2. one person is as good as another
  3. one person can't think as well as two

Answer:  c


Two wrongs do not make a right

Possible interpretation: If somebody does something bad to you, it will not make things ok if you do something bad to them in return.

Note: wrong (noun) = an injustice; an unjust or immoral action | right (noun) = justice; something that is just or moral

Quick Quiz:

If "two wrongs do not make a right", we should counter one injustice with
  1. another injustice
  2. two more injustices
  3. justice

Answer:  a