200 Commonly Used Short English Phrases

1.  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Explanation: It is better to be satisfied with things you already have, than to be greedy and loose that too.

2. A drop in the ocean

Explanation: Something that has very little value or effect when looked at from the perspective of a bigger picture is referred to a drop in the ocean.

3. A fate worse than death

Explanation: A horrible experience that is worse than the death or that the death is better than that incident.

4. A friend in need is a friend indeed

Explanation: A person who is there in the time of your need or difficulty is your actual friend. Anyone can be there in happy times but a real friend would be there through all.

5. A golden key can open any door

Explanation: Whatever the problem is, money or something of high value could solve it.

6. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Explanation: Whatever it is that you want to achieve, or however hard it is, all it takes is a single step to start. One foot in front of the other leads you to your dreams.

7. A leopard cannot change its spots

Explanation: A person or a thing cannot change its intrinsic nature. Whatever, somehow true nature always shows itself.

8. A little bird told me

Explanation: When you do not want to expose your source of some information or when it is obvious that the other person knows the source.

9. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Explanation: Little knowledge about a subject, or to do something with less knowledge can lead you to chaos. Only complete knowledge will help you to have the required outcomes.

10. A load of cobblers

Explanation: What babble! Something that is totally nonsensical and ridiculous. It is a talk full of gibber.

11. A nation of shopkeepers

Explanation: Originally used for English people to indicate that they are a nation of no passion. People who are much unmotivated and have no ambition are like a nation of shopkeepers.

12. A nod is as good as a wink

Explanation: There is no further need of explanation of a matter or decision it has been understood. Something was so easy to understand, it required only a slight indication.

13. A penny for your thoughts

Explanation: Someone wants to know what you are thinking or want you to speak your mind and state your opinions.

14. A picture is worth a thousand words

Explanation: Imagery can represent a situation better than words can describe it. If you have seen something happening, you do not need words to explain it to you.

15. A place for everything and everything in its place

Explanation: There should be proper space for things. Organize everything in a way so that it is easy to access when needed.

16. A riddle wrapped up in an enigma

Explanation: Something that is so complex like a mystery wrapped in another mystery. It is like unexplained and uncomprehending circumstances or incident.

17. A rolling stone gathers no moss

Explanation: A person who does not have a specific goal in life and just roams around would end up nowhere.

18. A skeleton in the closet

Explanation: An embarrassing secret or hiding something from the world that is difficult to hold.

19. A sorry sight

Explanation: It is like a pathetic and pitiful appearance or seeing someone in an unfortunate situation. It is an accident or misery.

20. A stitch in time saves nine

Explanation: If an issue is resolved as soon as it appears it is better, then to let it get complex and put extra time and energy in tackling it later.

21. A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Explanation: A beautiful memory remains forever and you can feel joy by its remembrance. A beautiful thing can provide joy and distraction in time of despair.

22. A watched pot never boils

Explanation: If you are waiting for something or someone, and want time to pass quickly, that is when time seems to pass the slowest.

23. A wolf in sheep’s clothing

Explanation: It is used for a deceiving person who is hiding his/her true colors. An evil or dangerous person pretending to be good or innocent is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

24. Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Explanation: This is one of the commonly used short English phrases. Distance or absence can make you long for a person and can make you love them even more by remembering them all the time.

25. Absolute power corrupts absolutely

Explanation: When a person is given complete power, they start to think of themselves as superior to others. It makes one use their power in dishonest ways to satisfy one’s ego.

26. Act of God

Explanation: This short phrase expresses a natural unexpected disaster or any incident that expresses the might of God.

27. Actions speak louder than words

Explanation: You might say you believe in something but not mean it, but when you do it, you actually confirm that you believe in it. Empty words mean nothing unless you take action.

28. Adversity makes strange bedfellows

Explanation: Hardships bring together people who would not normally connect any other way. The people you least likely to meet, meet you through shared difficulty.

29. Age before beauty

Explanation: It is said to older people as to respect their age as compared to young and beautiful people, by giving them privileges.

30. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety

Explanation: If the beauty is on the inside, it does not fade with age, and the daily routines of life do not end the variety of one’s character.

31. All that glitters is not gold / All that glisters is not gold

Explanation: Everything that looks precious from a far or outside does not always turn out to be good. One thing might look beautiful, but it might destroy you.

32. All things come to those who wait

Explanation: Patience is a virtue that can get you to your goals, coupled with hard work. People who wait and work their way to success instead of using shortcuts get things they desire.

33. All’s fair in love and war

Explanation: To win love or war, people go to all extents and deem
everything they do fair. There are some overwhelming situations in life where people have to go through wrong ways to get stuff done.

34. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Explanation: Good and fresh food keeps you healthier and away from diseases.

35. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth

Explanation: If a person has done some wrong to someone, he/she should be done the same harm to him/ her.

36. Another day, another dollar

Explanation: This short English phrase refers to a job with tedious work but very less pay.

37. As fine as frog’s hair

Explanation: Something very fragile or delicate that it is compared to frog’s hair, which does not even exist.

38. As fit as a butcher’s dog

Explanation: This short phrase is used to describe a very tough person both mentally and physically.

39. Ashes to ashes dust to dust

Explanation: Wherever one has come from, they return to there. Human beings are made from dust and their end is dust.

40. Ask a silly question and you’ll get a silly answer

Explanation: If you ask a useless question, the answer will be equally useless. You will not learn anything by asking silly questions.

41. Attack is the best form of defense

It means that it is better to attack first than to receive an attack and pay the damage.

42. Bad money drives out good

Explanation: If worthless things or copied things are in circulation, they will eventually drive the good things away. Bad will only bring in more bad.

43. Barking up the wrong tree

Explanation: Is it a way to approach your goals in a wrong way, taking the wrong route. To waste time on something that is not important and cannot get desired outcome.

44. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Explanation: If a person finds something beautiful, it’s not necessary that others will see the same. Different things appeal to different people, everyone’s perspective on beauty is different.

45. Beggars can’t be choosers

Explanation: If you are at the end of your road and have only one option available, you should take it. You should be happy with whatever you are getting. You cannot make a choice when you are out of options.

46. Bell the cat

Explanation: This short English phrase expresses to take a danger upon oneself for the betterment of the whole community. Sacrifice of one for the other.

47. Better to be late than never

Explanation: It is better to do or have something than not at all.

48. Between the Devil and the deep blue sea

Explanation: Being in two equally horrible situations from which you have to choose one.

49. Beyond a shadow of a doubt

Explanation: Something with total and complete certainty that there is not even a shadow of the doubt

50. Big fish in a small pond

Explanation: Somebody who has influence, is important or knowledgeable in a group of small people, who would not be as much important somewhere bigger.

51. Big fleas have little fleas upon their back to bite ’em

Explanation: Preys have other preys, preying upon them.

52. Bill Stickers is innocent

Explanation: A phrase emerged in response to “Bill Stickers will be prosecuted”, to stop putting up of posters illegally.

53. Bite the dust

Explanation: This common English phrase expresses to stop existing or to depart this life or surrender.

54. Black-on-black

Explanation: Something having completely black background and also black foreground or other parts where something is hidden due to same color of background as a black cup placed on black table is not visible.

55. Black sheep of the family

Explanation: You can use it for something that is odd in a family or in a group, or the one who is opposite as compared to the rest.

56. Blood toil tears and sweat

Explanation: This short English phrase expresses strenuous work, something to which a person gives his everything. It refers to one’s full abilities for accomplishing a task.

57. Brass-monkey weather

Explanation: The weather that is extremely cold and freezing, which could freeze even a brass monkey.

58. Bread always falls buttered side down

Explanation: If something bad happens, the worse possible outcome of it comes.

59. Break the ice

Explanation: It means getting comfortable with someone, getting the conversation with someone going.

60. Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door

Explanation: A simple solution to a common problem, or an invention for everyday use, can take a man far in success.

61. Bun in the oven

Explanation: This one is commonly used short English phrase in English language that refers to someone’s being pregnant.

62. Burn the candle at both ends

Explanation: This short phrase refers to exhausting oneself, working extremely hard, or going to bed late and then waking up early.

63. Burning the midnight oil

Explanation: Working up to past mid-night or late

64. Call a spade a spade

Explanation: Stating things exactly the way they are without being polite about it. People use it for something being straightforward and clear.

65. Canteen culture

Explanation: Discriminatory attitude of people of an organization, mostly of police force, which is disapproved by police department.

66. Carbon footprint

Explanation: The carbon dioxide released in the air by collective participation of people, or an individual, in an event.

67. Put the cart before the horse

Explanation: This short English phrase refers doing things in a disorderly manner or unorganized route of actions.

68. Let the cat out of the bag

Explanation: This English phrase refers to revealing of inside secrets of some group to others, intentionally or mistakenly. Letting the facts known to people from which they were previously secret.

69. Cat’s Cradle

Explanation: It is used to refer to something, which is very complicated like the string of the game “cat’s cradle”.

70. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link

Explanation: A thing or an organization is as strong as the least strong element in it. No matter how strong a thing is, if it is weak at one point, then that is how strong it is overall.

71. Chance would be a fine thing

Explanation: When someone wishes for something to happen, but there is a very little or no chance of it happening.

72. Children should be seen and not heard

Explanation: Children should be present in gatherings, but they should not speak up while sitting around adults having a conversation.

73. Cleanliness is next to godliness

Explanation: This phrase refers to lay emphasis on tidiness. Cleanliness is so important that it is considered spiritual.

74. Count your chickens before they are hatched

Explanation: We use this English phrase in a negative sense when telling someone not to become too optimistic, or depends on some hoped outcome, before something actually happens.

75. The course of true love never did run smooth

Explanation: In the journey of love and lovers, there are always obstacles and hardships, which need to be overcome.

76. Curiosity killed the cat

Explanation: If you become too curious and worry about other people’s lives and affairs, you will end up in a mess.

77. Customer is always right

Explanation: If a customer is unhappy with something that might be because of himself, still he is considered right so as not to disrupt a brand’s image.

78. Darkest hour is just before the dawn

Explanation: Things seem to be at their worst possible state when they are about to become better.

79. Dog is a man’s best friend

Explanation: This short English phrase tells that dogs are too loyal, provide great companionship, and their owner means the world to them.

80. Dog’s breakfast

Explanation: Used for something that has been made very confusing or some work that is done horribly.

81. Do not cast your pearls before swine.

Explanation: Do not waste your time, lessons, money or energy on people who do not value it.

82. Don’t change horses in midstream

Explanation: Do not change your mind when you are in the middle of doing something or halfway through achieving a goal. Stick to something that you have started doing.

83. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched

Explanation: You can use this English phrase when telling someone not to get their hopes too high or depend on some hoped outcome, before something actually happens.

84. Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself

Explanation: If you have appointed or paid someone to do something, then do not go on and do it yourself.

85. Don’t shut the stable door after the horse has bolted

Explanation: Do not try to do something about a problem after the damage is done. Prevent things before they happen, there is no use doing anything after.

86. Don’t throw good money after bad

Explanation: Do not spend more money on something that is damaged and has already taken investment from you. Do not try to fix broken stuff by putting your hard-earned money, buy good, new stuff.

87. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater

Explanation: Do not end up eliminating the good while getting rid of the bad. Do not refuse the favorable because of refusing the unfavorable.

88. Don’t try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs

Explanation: Do not try to teach or give advice to someone about something at which they are already good, or about which they already know plenty.

89. East, west, home’s best

Explanation: No matter where you travel or have been to your home is still the most comfortable and lovely place in the world.

90. Failing to plan is planning to fail

Explanation: If you do not plan about the important things in advance, then you definitely are planning to fail, going towards failure with no line of action.

91. Fair exchange is no robbery

Explanation: If you are taking one thing in exchange of the other of equal value then it is a fair exchange and not stealing.

92. Faith will move mountains

Explanation: If you have faith in your goals, and you believe with all your heart that you can achieve something, then even the hardest objectives can be achieved.

93. Famous for fifteen minutes

Explanation: This Short English phrase refers to someone who is ordinary and gets to temporary fame by something as quick to appear as it is to be forgotten.

94. For everything there is a season

Explanation: There is a time, place and purpose for everything to occur; anything that we go through at anytime is destined to happen to us at that exact time.

95. Forgive them for they know not what they do

Explanation: Forgive someone for their wrong actions if they do not know that what they did was wrong or if they do not know any better way to be.

96. Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration

Explanation: Creativity and inspiration are the first step; the rest is hard work and dedication. If you have a genius idea, the only having the idea will not make it real, you would have to work hard for it.

97. Good man is hard to find

Explanation: A person with complete goodness is hard to find. There may be good people with ill habits and bad people with some good morals.

98. Good things come to those that wait

Explanation: If you really desire something, you have to put all your heart, mind and time into it and be persistent with it along with patience. Shortcuts or hurry will not bring anything good.

99. Great minds think alike

Explanation: We use this English phrase when two person get the same idea about something, or express the same opinions about a matter.

100. Half a loaf is better than no bread

Explanation: You should accept whatever you are getting instead of what you desired, because something is better than nothing at all.

101. Haste makes waste

Explanation: Doing things in a rush or hurriedly will only cause you trouble and wastage of time and resources because the result will not be up to the mark.

102. He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon

Explanation: If you are sitting among evil people, then you should be cautious and keep your distance because evil can cause ill to anyone.

103. Hit the nail on the head

Explanation: This short phrase refers to describe a situation, problem or solution accurately.

104. Hold your horses

Explanation: It is most commonly used short English phrase to tell someone to stop for a moment, slow down or show patience.

105. Honesty is the best policy

Explanation: Being honest and stating the actual things is always good in all situations and is always better than lying.

106. Honey catches more flies than vinegar

Explanation: You can get your ways with people by being considerate and polite than by being rough and rude.

107. House divided against itself cannot stand

Explanation: If people of a nation or an organization are scattered and divided, they cannot stand for themselves and will fail. Unity brings success.

108. How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child

Explanation: It is so painful to raise a child who is so ungrateful for the providence.

109. I have not slept one wink

Explanation: I have not been able to sleep for the shortest amount of time; I have not slept at all.

110. I spy with my little eye

Explanation: A phrase used to start a children’s game of guessing random objects a child chooses to spy.

111. I will wear my heart upon my sleeve

Explanation: I will express my emotions freely, let them out in the open and be vulnerable.

112. If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain

Explanation: If what you initially willed to happen does not happen, then you must take an alternative approach. If something does not go your ways, find another way.

113. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride

Explanation: If desires were simply granted because of wishing, lazy people who do nothing else would be the most fortunate. If only wishing was enough to make things happen, the world would be
so easy.

114. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

Explanation: If you are in a situation where the stress for you is getting unbearable, then you should quit and get out of it

115. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

Explanation: Following someone’s actions or gesture is the sincerest way of appreciating them about their actions.

116. Innocent until proven guilty

Explanation: If someone is accused of some criminal act, they will not be considered guilty until there is proof.

117. It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all

Explanation: To know the worth of true love and to experience it, even if you lose it, is better than never knowing actual love.

118. It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness

Explanation: Complaining about a problem will not do you any good, so it is better to do something about it, even the smallest thing, instead of just moaning.

119. It’s not rocket science

Explanation: It is most commonly used English phrase to indicate that something is not much complex or difficult to do.

120. Jack-of-all-trades, master of none

Explanation: Someone who has an overall good knowledge of things but, he is not an expert in any of those.

121. Keep your nose to the grindstone

Explanation: Put all of you time, attention and energy continuously in something that you want to achieve.

122. Know which side your bread is buttered

Explanation: Be aware of who and what is in your best interests, who to be nice to, where to get the benefits, to get your work done.

123. Know which way the wind blows

Explanation: To take into account how things are about a situation or where the circumstances will turn, so you can act in accordance with that.

124. Lamb to the slaughter

Explanation: Someone agree to do something without knowing the dangers in it and falling prey to something bad.

125. Last but not least

Explanation: Even if somebody’s name or something is mentioned in the end, or at last, it does not mean that they are of any less significance.

126. Laugh like a drain

Explanation: It means laughing with all of someone’s heart, or laughing with loud voice.

127. The law is an ass

Explanation: Laws that seem absurd, and refrain from doing something you assume to be legal.

128. Left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is  doing

Explanation: Used when people in an organization, a workplace or in a home, seem to be oblivious of each other’s actions.

129. Let sleeping dogs lie

Explanation: Let something just be and stay out of it if interfering in it will arouse difficulties.

130.  Like a moth to a flame

Explanation: Someone blindly attracted to something or someone. Something that is alluring even if it is going to harm you.

131. Like being savaged by a dead sheep

Explanation: A person attacked verbally by someone who is fragile or innocent like a sheep, or harmless like a dead sheep.

132. Little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Explanation: Having little knowledge about a subject, or how to do something can lead you to chaos. Only complete knowledge will help you to have the required outcomes.

133. Little pitchers have big ears

Explanation: Used to refer to children having sensitive ears, so as not to discuss serious matters, or swear around them.

134. Look before you leap

Explanation: Figure out the most possible outcomes of an act before you commit it.

135. Loose lips sink ships

Explanation: Careless talking can lead to chaos in relationships, court or any other situations.

136. Man does not live by bread alone

Explanation: A person does not only need basic necessities of life like food, but also a purpose, goal and something to feed his mind and keep him alive spiritually.

137. Many are called but few are chosen

Explanation: A number of people take on the same journey, but only a few with the best qualities succeed.

138. Marry in haste, repent at leisure

Explanation: If you immediately marry someone just as you meet them thinking it is true love, you might get to know things about them that you will not like after some time and then regret it. Doing something hurriedly will cause chaos.

139. Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water

Explanation: If people do something wrong, they are ridiculed for it for a long time on contrary the good things they do are forgotten very easily.

140. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow

Explanation: Something that seems little at a time might become great and mighty in time, little things can give birth to grand things.

141. Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows

Explanation: Hardships bring together people who would not normally connect any other way. The people you are least likely to meet, they meet you through some shared difficulty.

142. More haste, less speed

Explanation: Trying to do a task in a hurry can actually slow you down because things go wrong if you rush them. Take it slow and steady and achieve your goal.

143. Mutton dressed as lamb

Explanation: Said for an older women dressed in clothes that would be more appropriate for a younger women.

144. Necessity is the mother of invention

Explanation: When you are in need of something, you will go on to invent it. If there were not a need for things, then there would be no inventions.

145. Neither a borrower nor a lender be

Explanation: Do not lend to or borrow from anyone, especially your friends because if fails to pay it back, it would end a friendship.

146. Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Explanation: Everything in life is uncertain and one wonders if something will happen or not, except death, which eventually comes and taxes, which everyone has to pay no matter what.

147. Once bitten, twice shy

Explanation: If something inconvenient or bad happens due to a situation once, then by experience, a person avoids getting into the same situation.

148. Once in a blue moon

Explanation:This English phrase expresses, something that occurs seldom, and after a long time.

149. One hand washes the other

Explanation: Tasks of mutual interests are done and goals are achieved through joint collaboration of people of a household, an organization or a nation.

150. One swallow doesn’t make a summer

Explanation: If one thing has gone your way or one fortunate took place that does not mean the rest of the outcomes will also be in your favor.

151. Out of sight, out of mind

Explanation: If things or people are not around you or in front of you for some time, you forget them.

152. Penny wise and pound foolish

Explanation: It is an advice to spend small amount of money wisely but not to be too careful with extra money when you have it.

153. A Plague on both your houses

Explanation: A short English phrase used by a character in the play “Romeo and Juliet” to curse two families. It means all the possibilities go to failure.

154. Pour oil on troubled waters

Explanation: It is used to stop people from arguing, and to calm a situation down.

155. Pride comes before a fall

Explanation: When you become too proud of anything about yourself and start considering yourself above people, something will happen to drag you down from your arrogance.

156. Religion is the opium of the people

Explanation: Religion gives people hope and something to look forward to and it makes people in hardships feel good about themselves, as according to religion, they would be rewarded.

157. Revenge is a dish best served cold

Explanation: When you take revenge on your enemy after giving him some loose time, while he least expects it, it is most satisfactory.

158. See a pin and pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck; see a pin and let it lie, bad luck you’ll have all day

Explanation: Value the small things and do not just ignore or discard them as they can bring something big or rewarding.

159. Seek and you shall find

Explanation: If you are looking for something, solution, a purpose or the achievement of your desires, you will receive it if you seek it with all your heart.

160. Separate the sheep from the goats

Explanation: Know which things and people are beneficial for you and which are poisonous for you.

161. A sledge hammer to crack a nut 

Explanation: It refers to use greater effort, time or money on something, than is actually required to get it done.

162. Speak softly and carry a big stick

Explanation: Use soft words to issue your commands but let people know by your appearance or outlook that you are capable of using force if required.

163. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves

Explanation: If you take care of small things, be grateful and value small amounts of money, then big amounts and big things will come to you too.

164. That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind

Explanation: Used to appreciate someone’s small achievements and exaggerate them. Sometimes, a small gesture or act by a single person can be turning point for whole humankind.

165. The ants are my friends, they’re blowing in the wind

Explanation: A misheard line from one of Bob Dylan’s songs, that is interesting and became very famous.

166. The apple never falls far from the tree

Explanation: Children inherit and show several characteristics exactly like their parents.

167. The blind leading the blind

Explanation: It means a person who does not have command over something giving advice to someone about it who is equally illiterate.

168. The Female of the species is more deadly than the male

Explanation: From a poem of Kipling, indicating that men might look more dangerous but as in animals, the female is more dominant and females are more dangerous. When it comes to protecting a child or anything like that, female species are more deadly and go to every extent.

169. The Devil has all the best tunes

Explanation: All the things that are prohibited and frowned upon by religion are encouraged and presented in a fun way by devil.

170. The Devil makes work for idle hands to do

Explanation: People who have no purpose or are free most of the times are the ones to commit crimes or do wrong because devil has more impact on empty minds.

171. The moving finger writes

Explanation: If you want change in your life, then it can only be brought by moving and working for it and taking your own responsibility. Sitting around and wishing for things to happen will not do anything.

172. The wrong end of the stick

Explanation: It means to have a misunderstanding about a situation or to take something in the wrong context.

173. The pen is mightier than the sword

Explanation: Matters can be sorted out through communication and peace and will yield better results rather than taking violent approach.

174. The proof of the pudding is in the eating

Explanation: Appearances or theories can be deceiving. The truth of anything can only be acquired through practical experience.

175. The road to hell is paved with good intentions

Explanation: Only having good intentions will lead you nowhere. To fulfill something decent, you have to move around and work.

176. The shoemaker always wears the worst shoes.

Explanation: One, who spends all day, doing something as profession for other people, usually fails to apply the same into one’s own life. The closest people to an expert are often neglected of his expertise.

177. The sky’s the limit

Explanation: There is no limit to what one can be, do or have if one really goes after it.

178. The straw that broke the camel’s back

Explanation: It indicates the seemingly meaningless and tiny problems are what sometimes, the cause of our worst problems and failures become.

179. There is more than one way to kill a cat

Explanation: There is not only one way to go about things, there can be more and better alternative ways of doing the same thing.

180. There’s no fool like an old fool

Explanation: If an older or more grownup person makes a mistake, they seem to be the most foolish because they should have learned something from their life experiences.

181. They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance

Explanation: Somebody could not harm you because you are at a great distance from them.

182. A Thing of beauty is a joy forever

Explanation: A beautiful memory remains forever and you can feel joy by its remembrance. A beautiful thing can provide joy and distraction in the time of despair

183. Till the cows come home

Explanation: It is used to indicate  that something will go on for a very long time, or forever.

184. Time and tide wait for no man

Explanation: No matter what happens in your life, time goes on and the world keeps revolving. You have to move with the world, it does not stop or wait for you.

185.
To err is human; to forgive divine.

Explanation: To commit sins and make
errors is in a human’s nature, but to forgive is God’s quality, and those who
forgive, pose a divine act.

186. To gild refined gold, to paint the lily

Explanation: To waste time and resources trying to make such things or circumstances better which are already in their best shape.

187. To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive

Explanation: The process of achieving your goals, the hopefulness and excitement along the way is more enjoyable than the actual result. We should enjoy the journey rather than await the result.

188. Tomorrow is another day

Explanation: Used to show hopefulness, that today might not be in your best interest, but tomorrow, new day will come with new opportunities and chances to succeed.

189. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

Explanation: The person who is under the burden of great responsibilities is always worried about people whom he is accountable for, and does not rest.

190. Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things

Explanation: When you use too much word to define a thing, or in general, than necessary, you might say something irrelevant which can cause confusion. Precision is always good.

191. Wave a red rag to a bull

Explanation: To say or do something in front of a person which is obvious to make him angry.

192. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

Explanation: You do not need a lot of people around to stay happy, just a few genuine people with whom you can have your shared experiences of life.

193. We have seen better days

Explanation: Used for something that is now in a worse and old position than it once was.

194. We know where you live

Explanation: Used for threatening someone or warn them to refrain from something, because they know your house, they can get you in trouble anytime.

195. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Explanation: To be open, express your emotions freely, let them out and be vulnerable.

196. When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Explanation: If you are new somewhere, you should follow the people who are already present there. Act according to the customs of the place you are visiting and not offend anybody.

197. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

Explanation: You can get your ways with people by being considerate and polite than by being rough and rude.

198. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink

Explanation: There is a limit to how much you can help a person. You can provide them with opportunities but to take them and make good use of them is up to that person alone

199. You can’t get blood out of a stone

Explanation: You cannot make someone go against their nature and persuade them to do something.

200. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Explanation: Time makes your habits and beliefs permanent and you cannot change them. Someone who is accustomed to do things in a certain way for a long time cannot be convinced otherwise.

201. Your days are numbered

Explanation: This short English phrase refers to a man when there are very few days left for his renowned position or rank.  Similarly refers to tell someone that he will die soon.