12 Sayings beginning with W


Waste not, want not

Possible interpretation: If we do not waste things we will not be short of things. If we use our resources carefully, we shall never be in need.

Note: waste (verb) = use carelessly, extravagantly | want (verb - mainly archaic) = lack; be short of; not have; be in need of

Quick Quiz:

The saying "Waste not, want not" might be described as a
  1. green philosophy
  2. red philosophy
  3. blue philosophy

Answer:  a



We must learn to walk before we can run

Possible interpretation: We have to be patient when learning. Babies crawl before they walk. And children walk before they run. We cannot do difficult tasks before we can do easy tasks.

Quick Quiz:

If "we must learn to walk before we can run", what must we learn to do before we can write?
  1. run
  2. crawl
  3. read

Answer:  c


What you see is what you get

Possible interpretation: 1) There is nothing hidden. What you are looking at is the real thing. 2) In computing, the way something displays on the screen is the way it will display in print (or other media) -- hence the acronym WYSIWYG.

Origin: Although the acronym WYSIWYG originated with computing, the actual saying "What you see is what you get" predates computing, being used for example by salesmen to assure customers of the quality of their product.

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

Quick Quiz:

The saying "What you see is what you get" is usually intended to
  1. reassure you
  2. create doubt
  3. confuse you

Answer:  a


What's sauce foe the goose is sauce for the gander

Possible interpretation: In any question, what is appropriate in one case is also appropriate in the other case.

Note: sauce (noun) = a thick liquid served with food to add flavour | goose (noun) = a waterbird like a large duck | gander (noun) = a male goose

Quick Quiz:

"What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander" is a saying about
  1. cookery
  2. birds
  3. fairness

Answer:  c


When one door shuts, another opens

Possible interpretation: An optimistic view on life, in which a refusal or failure is always followed by another opportunity.

Note: Also seen as: "When one door closes, another opens." | Compare: "God never shuts one door but he opens another."

Quick Quiz:

If it's true that "when one door shuts, another opens", then a new opportunity will follow any
  1. rejection
  2. ejection
  3. dejection

Answer:  a


When the cat's away the mice will play

Possible interpretation: This famous saying suggests that when a person in authority is not present, the people under his rule will enjoy their freedom.

Note: mice (noun) = plural of "mouse" - a small animal that cats like to eat

Quick Quiz:

"When the cat's away the mice will play" could suggest that people might not work hardest when the boss is
  1. pleasant
  2. present
  3. absent

Answer:  c


When the devil cannot come, he will send

Possible interpretation: The implication is that the devil is very persistent. He will always find a way to tempt us. If the devil cannot bring temptation to us himself, he will find someone else to bring it.

Note: devil (noun) = (in Jewish and Christian belief, usually "the Devil") the chief evil spirit or Satan | send (verb) = cause (someone or something) to go (somewhere)

Quick Quiz:

In the saying "When the devil cannot come, he will send", what does "he will send" mean? He will
  1. get someone to do his work for him
  2. order a take-away
  3. wait until he can come

Answer:  a


When the going gets though, the tough get going

Possible interpretation: When a situation is difficult or dangerous, strong people work harder to resolve the problem. This saying relies on a difficult play on words; it could be rephrased word-for-word as: "When the situation becomes hard, strong people start working."

Note: the going (noun): the situation; the ground; the environment | tough (adj.): difficult, hard | the tough (noun): tough people; hard, strong people | to get going (verb): start; go

Origin: This saying is attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969), father of the USA President John F. Kennedy, and to Norwegian-born American football player and coach Knute Rockne (1888-1931).

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

Quick Quiz:

In the saying "When the going gets tough, the tough get going", which word is used as a verb only?
  1. tough
  2. get
  3. going

Answer:  b


Where there's a will there's a way

Possible interpretation: If we have the determination to do something, we can always find the path or method to do it.

Note: will (noun) = strong determination, desire | way (noun) = path, method

Quick Quiz:

You might say "where there's a will there's a way" to someone who says that something
  1. can't be done
  2. shouldn't be done
  3. will be done immediately

Answer:  a


Where there's muck there's brass

Possible interpretation: There is money to be made in dirt and dirty jobs. For example, many people have made fortunes by processing rubbish or waste materials.

Note: muck (noun) = dirt; rubbish | brass (noun) = a metal made from copper and zinc; (British slang) money

Origin: This specific saying originated in Yorkshire, England in the 20th century. The slang term "brass" (for "money") was and is typically used in Yorkshire. In the 19th-century, people said: "Where there's muck there's money." And the 17th-century book "A collection of English proverbs" (Rev. John Ray) includes a similar idea: "Muck and money go together."

Quick Quiz:

"Where there's muck there's brass" suggests that rubbish can be used to create
  1. metal
  2. money
  3. methane gas

Answer:  b


Woman will have the last word

Possible interpretation: A man cannot win an argument with a woman. Women talk more than men. They can always add something more to what they are saying.

Note: the last word: the final say; the final decision

Quick Quiz:

The saying "Women will have the last word" suggests that men stop speaking
  1. before women stop
  2. after women stop
  3. when women stop

Answer:  a


Would you buy a used car from this man?

Possible interpretation: Do you trust this man? I don't.

Origin: This saying is attributed to the American comedian Mort Sahl (born 1927). It was often applied to USA President Richard Nixon, and is today used with regard to anyone who does not seem entirely trustworthy.

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

Quick Quiz:

If someone referred to you and said "Would you buy a used car from this man/woman?", you would probably be
  1. offended
  2. delighted
  3. a car dealer

Answer:  a