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A proverbial phrase or expression is a type of conventional saying similar to a proverb and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. [1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as:
Another phrase is Am Sankt-Nimmerleins-Tag ("on St. Never's Day"). [19] Wenn Weihnachten und Ostern auf einen Tag fallen! ("when Christmas and Easter are on the same day") Georgian– როცა ვირი ხეზე ავა ("when the donkey climbs the tree") Greek – Του Αγίου Ποτέ ("on St.
A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) or an adage is a simple, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and are an example of formulaic language. [1][2] A proverbial phrase or a proverbial expression is a type of a conventional saying similar to proverbs and ...
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Drinking lemonade is usually considered more pleasant than eating raw lemons. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons suggest sourness or difficulty in life; making lemonade ...
These sayings are: "great job," "practice makes perfect," "you're okay," "hurry up," "I'm on a diet," "we can't afford that," "don't talk to strangers," "be careful," no dessert unless you finish ...
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
Birds of a feather flock together. Birds of a feather flock together is an English proverb. The meaning is that beings (typically humans) of similar type, interest, personality, character, or other distinctive attribute tend to mutually associate. The idiom is sometimes spoken or written as an anapodoton, where only the first part ("Birds of a ...
Hoist with his own petard. " Hoist with his own petard " is a phrase from a speech in William Shakespeare 's play Hamlet that has become proverbial. The phrase's meaning is that a bomb-maker is blown ("hoist", the past tense of "hoise") off the ground by his own bomb ("petard"), and indicates an ironic reversal or poetic justice. [1]