A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

iii. ‘Let me get you another drink,’ said David, taking the glass. ‘I know one ought to know people seven years to poke their fi ...

know see also BETTER the devil you know than the devil you don’t know; the FROG in the well knows nothing of the sea; one HALF o ...

Maori proverb warning against self-praise (a kumara is a sweet potato). 2001 He Hinatore Ki Te Ao Maori A Glimpse into Maori Wor ...

L The LABOURER is worthy of his hire With allusion to LUKE x. 7 (AV) The labourer is worthy of his hire. c 1390 CHAUCER Summoner ...

land see also you BUY land, you buy stones; when HOUSE and land are gone and spent, then learning is most excellent; LEARNING is ...

When the LAST tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money Na ...

1883 E. W. WILCOX in Sun (New York) 25 Feb. 3 Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old ea ...

He who LAUGHS last, laughs longest A modern development of the preceding proverb. 1912 J. MASEFIELD Widow in Bye Street iv. 66 I ...

law see also HARD cases make bad law; IGNORANCE of the law is no excuse for breaking it; every LAND has its own law; NECESSITY k ...

lay see it is easier to RAISE the Devil than to lay him. LAY-OVERS for meddlers An answer to an impertinent or inquisitive child ...

lead see when the BLIND lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch; CROSSES are ladders that lead to heaven; all ROADS lead ...

Proverbs (STS) no. 946 Littl said is soon mended. 1776 T. COGAN John Buncle, Junior I. vi. Mum’s the word; least said is soonest ...

LEND your money and lose your friend 1474 CAXTON Game of Chess (1883) III. iv. 112 And herof speketh Domas the philosopher and s ...

withstood... Lions make leopards tame.—Yea, but not change his spots. 1869 A. HENDERSON Latin Proverbs 317 Pardus maculas non de ...

let see also let the COBBLER stick to his last; let the DEAD bury the dead; let them LAUGH that win; LIVE and let live; let SLEE ...

Feb. 3 It is often said that a lie can get round the world quicker than the truth can get its shoes on. For Stephen McPherson, i ...

1996 F. POPCORN Clicking iii. 408 And a little stand by-the-side-of-the-road is a good spot to learn from a wise saying: If life ...

life see also ART is long and life is short; the BEST things in life are free; a DOG is for life..; if you would be HAPPY for a ...

Traits in a person’s character are reinforced by associating with similar people: e.g. PSALMS xviii. 25–6 (BCP) With the holy th ...

one’s dirty linen in public. lining see every CLOUD has a silver lining. link see a CHAIN is no stronger than its weakest link. ...