Every proverb in English depicts a unique meaning and represents human nature, practical advice, and life lessons in the most engaging and fascinating fashion.
Proverbs help you relate complex ideas to your day-to-day situations, making them easier to understand and apply.
So, if you’re looking to learn proverbs, their meanings, and their uses to ace the IELTS test, you’re in the right place.
Here are some hand-picked options that, when used correctly, can elevate your band score like nothing else.
What is the Meaning of Proverbs? Complete Definition
A proverb is a short yet meaningful phrase that serves a motive. In simpler words, the proverb’s meaning is – A useful quote and sentence meant to deliver an important lesson, a piece of life advice, or something that relates to human nature.
To exemplify, we have all heard proverbs like, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” and “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
These proverbs have hidden meanings and often come from folk traditions, literature, or historical events. Above all, they have stood the test of time because people across global cultures can relate to them.
Why are Proverbs Important in IELTS?
After attempting the IELTS three times, I’ve realized the importance of proverbs in different modules, especially Writing and Speaking.
Using them effectively and naturally can boost your score and help you showcase your language command to the fullest.
Most importantly, adding proverbs to your responses can add a certain depth and sophistication to your said two modules and also help you demonstrate your ability to use idiomatic language naturally.
Most Used Proverbs with Meanings and Examples
Here are a few examples of proverbs that you can use in daily life, and your IELTS test.
- Actions speak louder than words.
Meaning:What you do is more important than what you say.
Example:Instead of promising to help, show your support—actions speak louder than words.
- Honesty is the best policy.
Meaning: Telling the truth is always the best option.
Example: Even if it gets you into trouble, honesty is the best policy.
- A stitch in time saves nine.
Meaning: Fixing a problem early prevents it from getting worse.
Example: If you see a leak in the roof, repair it now—a stitch in time saves nine
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Meaning: If you are determined, you will find a way to succeed.
Example: She worked two jobs to pay for college—where there’s a will, there’s a way.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on one plan; diversify.
Example: He invested in multiple businesses because he knew not to put all his eggs in one basket.
- The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: Being early or prepared gives you an advantage.
Example: She always arrives at the office before everyone else—the early bird catches the worm.
- Look before you leap.
Meaning: Think before making a decision.
Example: Before quitting your job, look before you leap.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Meaning: Great things take time.
Example: Learning a new skill takes patience—Rome wasn’t built in a day.
- Practice makes perfect.
Meaning: The more you practice, the better you become.
Example: If you want to be a great writer, keep writing—practice makes perfect.
- When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Meaning: Adapt to the customs of the place you are currently in.
Example: When traveling to Japan, she followed their customs—when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Easy and Short Proverbs for Inspiration
Sometimes, a good proverb can be the push you need to stay motivated. Here are some easy proverbs in English that inspire action and positivity:
- “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
(Japanese Proverb) – No matter how many times life knocks you down, always get back up and keep trying. Persistence always leads to success.
- “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
(Chinese Proverb) – Every great achievement starts with a small action. Taking the first step is the key to progress.
- “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
(English Proverb) – Taking precautions and acting in the early stages can prevent bigger problems in the future.
- “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”
(English Proverb) – You can’t enjoy two conflicting benefits at the same time; sometimes, you must make a choice and accept its consequences.
- “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
(English Proverb) – People tend to believe others have a better life or situation than they do, even when that may not be true.
Short Proverbs Quotes for IELTS Students
If you feel it is difficult to memorize the longer proverb quotes, you can try the shorter ones given below. These are easy to remember and use in speaking and writing IELTS exams.
| S.No | Proverb Quotes | Meaning |
| 1 | No Pain, no gain | Hard work and effort are necessary to achieve success |
| 2 | A fool and his money are soon parted | Careless people quickly lose their wealth |
| 3 | Don’t bite the hand that feeds you | Don’t harm or criticize those who help you |
| 4 | You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink | You can offer help, but people must choose to accept it |
| 5 | The proof of the pudding is in the eating | You can only judge something after experiencing it. |
| 6 | Many Hands make light work | Tasks become easier when more people work together. |
| 7 | Every cloud has a silver lining | Even bad situations have some positive aspects. |
| 8 | A leopard never changes its spots | People don’t change their true nature. |
| 9 | Keep your friends close and your enemies closer | Stay aware of those who might harm you. |
| 10 | The ball is in your court | It’s your turn to take action or make a decision. |
| 11 | What goes around comes around | Your actions, good or bad, will come back to you. |
| 12 | If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it | Don’t change something that already works well. |
| 13 | Cut your coat according to your cloth | Live within your means; don’t spend more than you have. |
| 14 | Old habits die hard | It’s difficult to change long-lasting habits. |
| 15 | Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it | Don’t worry about future problems before they happen. |
| 16 | One man’s trash is another man’s treasure | Something useless to one person may be valuable to another. |
| 17 | Don’t cry over spilled milk | Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened. |
| 18 | Even a broken clock works twice a day | Even people who are usually wrong can be correct sometimes. |
| 19 | Half a loaf is better than none | Getting something, even if it’s not perfect, is better than getting nothing. |
| 20 | There’s no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted | It’s too late to take action once the damage is already done. |
How to Use Proverbs in the IELTS Test?
Well, learning English proverbs by rote won’t make a difference if you are unable to incorporate them effectively and naturally. You must know the ideal usage, the right place, and the appropriate timing.
If you also have a target of Band 8 or higher like me, here is what I did. Use these tips, to use proverbs in your test like a pro, and compel the invigilator to give you the desired score.
In Speaking Module
Speaking is the module where you are judged for your native-like abilities.
The speaking test score criteria are based on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range, Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
So, proverbs are the finest way to bag marks in the “Lexical Resource” and “Fluency” segments, as they will display your exposure to the native words and phrases. But while using them, you need to know:
- Do not add proverbs forcefully
Make sure the quote goes well with the idea you are trying to present. If you are forcing the proverbs, the examiner will surely get the idea. Therefore, it is suggested to use proverbs only when they fit accurately with the context.
As an example:
Q: Do you think hard work is important?
A: Definitely. As they say, “Hard work pays off.”
- Learn the Meaning Clearly
If you are using proverbs without knowing what they mean, you will end up hurting your score. Therefore, learn the meaning of every proverb that you are planning to use so that you can present it with the utmost clarity.
- Simple ones work the best
It is not necessary to add the complex ones, as it won’t affect much. Just use a few that are easier to learn, understand, and speak. The tip is to try the most commonly used ones, as you might have used or heard them before.
Some options are:
- “Practice makes perfect.”
- “Better late than never.”
- “Actions speak louder than words.”
- Add an explanation
You can follow up the proverb with a brief explanation to show your understanding and this will also make the examiner know that you are familiar with the vocabulary with which you are using the exams.
Example:
“You know what they say, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ meaning success takes time and patience.”
- Use them in the right place and in relevant parts
Proverbs are mainly useful in Part 2 (2-minute long run) and Part 3 (the follow-up discussion), where you get more time to elaborate on your answers. Part 1 usually consists of shorter and more personal answers, so you may not get the scope to add proverbs.
- Make a habit of using proverbs
Try to integrate proverbs in your day-to-day conversations, the mock tests, or during practice so it becomes natural for you.
In Writing Module
From my experience, the Writing test is the trickiest one. You have to write more formally in Task 2, but you might have some informal topics while writing Task 1 in the General Training test.
However, proverbs should be used quite carefully in the writing task because overusing or misusing them may lower your score for task achievement and formal tone. Here are some of the ways to use proverbs in IELTS writing.
- Use Proverbs Sparingly
In task 2 (especially academic writing), when you are required to write more formally and comprehensively, you need to ensure that you are not using them too often, as this will make your essay a bit more informal than required. One or two well-placed keywords will suffice.
- Use Formal Proverbs only
Avoid using too casual or conversational proverbs, as they are not accepted as formal writing and can lower your score.
| Some great choices are: | Proverbs to avoid: |
| “Every coin has two sides.” | “Hit the nail on the head.” |
| “Prevention is better than cure.” | “Spill the beans.” |
| “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” | |
- Use them Strategically
Proverbs are best suited in an introduction or conclusion to leave a strong impression or in some of the main sentences to support an argument, especially in argumentative essays.
- Smooth Integration is Necessary
Your sentence should contain proverbs as part of a sentence instead of holding them randomly. A clear integration is necessary, followed by some explanation.
Example:
While some argue that technology isolates people, it’s important to remember that “every coin has two sides”; digital tools can also foster global connections.
Related Topic: TESOL certificate Part 1 for English Specialization
IELTS Speaking Samples with Proverbs
I have tried to answer questions from each part of the speaking test so that you can get a clear picture of how to present your conversational abilities in the best way possible.
Part 1:
Q: Do you enjoy your job or studies?
A: Indeed, I do. I’ve always believed that “practice makes perfect,” so the more I study, the better I get. It’s satisfying to see my hard work pay off.
Cue Card:
Q: Describe a difficult decision you made
A: Last year, I had to decide whether to switch jobs or stay in my comfort zone. It was tough, but I kept thinking, “Fortune favors the brave.” So, I took the risk, and fortunately, it worked out well.
Part 3:
Q: Do you think technology is making people’s lives easier or harder?
A: Well, every coin has two sides. Technology can help you finish tasks faster, but it also creates new challenges, like dependency and privacy concerns in some cases.
IELTS Writing Samples with Proverbs
Q: Some people think that children should start school as early as possible, while others believe they should start later. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample with Proverb:
Those who support early schooling argue that it helps children get a head start. However, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Rushing a child’s development may cause stress and hinder natural learning. It is essential to let them grow at their own pace. |
Q: Some think the government should invest more in health education and preventive measures. To what extent do you agree?
Sample with Proverb:
I completely agree with this view. As the proverb goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Educating people about healthy habits and early detection can save lives and reduce long-term healthcare costs. |
Final Thoughts
I certainly believe that proverbs are a significant tool to enhance your writing and speaking level in the IELTS test. With controlled and strategic usage, proverbs can be a boon for those who are working on their vocabulary.
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