Proverbs: progress and patience

Vocabulary in this set

Use ten common proverbs to talk about practice, preparation, persistence, and gradual progress.

1. practice makes perfect

   Phrase

   If one practices an activity enough, one will eventually master it.

   Golden words make practice, practice makes perfect, perfect is a fault, and fault lines change.

2. Rome wasn't built in a day

   Expression

   It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.

   I know this project is a big undertaking, but you need to have patience and be hopeful. Remember that Rome wasn't built in a day.

3. a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

   Expression

   Even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point.

   It has often been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We have made many steps in our journey towards the republic, and perhaps are closer to our destination than we imagine.

4. where there is a will there is a way

   Expression

   If someone wants or wills something strongly enough, a way can be found to make it happen.

   [I]f he leaves the School poſſeſs'd of a ſluggiſh indolent Diſpoſition, and of Learning rather forc'd upon him than choſen, it is probable he will forget what he brought thence; but if he be active, emulous and aſpiring, he will certainly find Time for Reading and Thinking; for tho' it be a homely, it is a true Saying, that where there is a Will, there is a Way.

5. every little helps

   Phrase

   Even the smallest things are helpful when towards a goal.

   There's not much money - if that's what you mean. Approximately. Once all the debts are paid there will be very little. Nevertheless. Every little helps. The Brothers are sorely in need of it this weather.

6. mighty oaks from little acorns grow

   Expression

   Something great can come from a modest beginning.

   Don't give up on the project - mighty oaks from little acorns grow!

7. measure twice and cut once

   Expression

   Plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action.

   Mr. Paz noted that since the onset of the credit crisis, eBay, like other companies, hasn’t been able to measure twice and cut once.

8. old habits die hard

   Expression

   Established habits are difficult to change.

   Old habits die hard. The stronger beverage of English ale had been so long in use that the old folks could not be induced to relinquish it for a foreign herb.

9. never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

   Expression

   Do not procrastinate whatever that can be done today until tomorrow.

   Near-synonyms: he who hesitates is lost, procrastination is the thief of time, there's no time like the present

10. hindsight is 20/20

    Phrase

    In hindsight things are obvious that were not obvious from the outset; one is able to evaluate past choices more clearly than at the time of the choice.

    Another common error dealing with memory is that of hindsight bias. This is the tendency to exaggerate what could have been anticipated in the past. This is also known as Monday morning quarter backing or hindsight is 20/20 where the right decision as to what should have been done appears to be more obvious now than it was in the past.