Let’s make hay while the sun
shines!
What is an adage or proverb and
how can we tell what they mean?
Adages and proverbs offer advice and
observations about life. You can build your
knowledge of adages and proverbs by asking
someone what they mean or by looking them up
online. They are sometimes very figurative. It
is not important that you know the difference
between an adage and a proverb. It is
important that you are able to tell what they
mean so that you can understand the text of
which they are a part.
Let’s practice. Each of the the following
slides show an adage or a proverb.
Discuss with a partner what you think
each one means. Your teacher will
then click to reveal the actual
meaning. Good luck!
A watched pot never boils …
Things you look forward to seem to take a long time
to happen.
You live, and you learn …
Mistakes can teach useful lessons.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds
you …
Don’t hurt those who take care of you, or they
may not want to take care of you anymore.
Nothing ventured, nothing
gained …
You can’t expect to achieve
something if you never even try to
do it.
The early bird catches the worm …
If you start something early, you have a
better chance of succeeding at it.
Find the adage or proverb in each
sentence, and then decide the correct
meaning. You may confer with a partner.
Although I was still mad at my cousin for
losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs
lie and not mention it again.
a. It is better not to restart an old argument.
b. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep
on the floor.
Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my
book, I decided to let sleeping dogs
lie and not mention it again.
a. It is better not to restart an old argument.
b. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep on the
floor.
*They are not LITERALLY talking about dogs. They are using
figurative language!
When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself
that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every
day keeps them from scolding you.
b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in
good health.
When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself
that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every
day keeps them from scolding you.
b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in
good health.
Dad said that while the rest of us are out
grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay
while the sun shines and take a nap.
a. The best place to take a nap is outside in
the sun.
b. Take advantage of an opportunity while
you have chance to do so.
Dad said that while the rest of us are out
grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay
while the sun shines and take a nap.
a. The best place to take a nap is outside in
the sun.
b. Take advantage of an opportunity while
you have chance to do so.
When Danny asked his grandmother why
she saved used wrapping paper, she
replied, “Waste not, want not.”
a. If you careful not to be wasteful, you will
not find yourself in need of things.
b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a
wasteful person.
When Danny asked his grandmother why
she saved used wrapping paper, she
replied, “Waste not, want not.”
a. If you are careful not to be wasteful, you
will not find yourself in need of things.
b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a
wasteful person.
I didn’t want to move to a different town, but
every cloud has a silver lining; I made lots
of friends at my new school.
a. You can find interesting shapes in every
cloud in the sky.
b. You can find something good in every
bad situation.
I didn’t want to move to a different town, but
every cloud has a silver lining; I made lots
of friends at my new school.
a. You can find interesting shapes in every
cloud in the sky.
b. You can find something good in every
bad situation.
Here are some more common adages and proverbs. Talk with a partner
about what you think they mean. Look their meanings up on the computer to
confirm. Pick your favorite to illustrate and share with your classmates.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Do not remove a fly from your friend’s head
with a hatchet.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
A bad penny always turns up.
The early bird gets the worm.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Better safe than sorry.
Actions speak louder than words.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth. All that glitters is not gold.
The best things in life are free.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
Practice makes perfect.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
You are now quite a bit wiser than when we
began talking about proverbs and adages.
Think of your favorite adage or proverb.
Think about the lesson or advice it illustrates.
Who could use this advice? Think of
someone from your life or from a book, and
write a letter to him or her to share this
proverb or adage. Explain in the letter why
you think he or she should follow this advice.
(An example is on the next slide.)
Be ready to share with your classmates!
January 5, 2012
Dear Penelope,
Hello there. How are you? I hope you are well.
I have been thinking about the opportunities lately that you have passed up because
you are so shy and scared of being with new people. Remember when our English
teacher asked if we would work on the yearbook for this year? Remember how
excited we were, until you said you couldn’t because you didn’t know much about
putting a yearbook together or about photography? You also said you didn’t know the
kids who already work on the yearbook.
You know what I think? Nothing ventured, nothing gained! If you never give it a
chance, how will you ever know if you like it or if you are good at it? You are very
artistic, and I think you would be really good at it. It would be so fun if we could do it
together. You may try it and not like it at all, but how will you ever know if you never
even give it a shot? This is a perfect chance for us to make new friends too!
Please take a chance with me. I will be right beside you and we can learn together.
Think about it: Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Let me know what you think.
Your friend,
Yalanda
Now that you know about adages and
proverbs, try to notice how often you hear
them in conversation, on TV, in music lyrics,
and in your books. When you hear them, jot
them down to share in class!
Make hay while the sun shines!