Making a Start
“The early bird catches the worm”, “Strike while the iron is hot”, “He who hesitates is lost”: these are the proverbs you reach for when someone is waiting for a better moment that is not coming. They are encouragements rather than observations, which is why they work as a nudge to a colleague and grate as a lecture to a friend.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 12 flashcards into the learner. The learner asks it the other way round: meaning first, phrase second.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
Several of these overlap in meaning but differ sharply in tone. “There’s no time like the present” is gentle; “He who hesitates is lost” is close to a rebuke. Note which register each one carries as you go, because that is what decides whether you can say it out loud.
All 12 flashcards
Swap question and answerThe early bird catches the worm.
Whoever gets there first has the best chance.
“Tickets go on sale at six, so set an alarm — the early bird catches the worm.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →Strike while the iron is hot.
Act while the conditions are still in your favour.
“They loved the pitch — send the contract today and strike while the iron is hot.”
There is no time like the present.
The best moment to begin is now.
“You keep saying you’ll call her. There’s no time like the present.”
Well begun is half done.
A careful start makes the rest of the work far easier.
“We spent a week on the outline and the writing flew — well begun is half done.”
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Even a huge undertaking starts with one small action.
“Don’t think about the whole thesis. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →A stitch in time saves nine.
Fixing a small problem now prevents a large one later.
“That drip will rot the whole floor if you leave it. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →Make hay while the sun shines.
Use a good opportunity while the conditions last.
“Orders are pouring in this month, so make hay while the sun shines.”
He who hesitates is lost.
Waiting too long costs you the chance.
“By the time he made up his mind the flat was gone — he who hesitates is lost.”
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
You cannot win anything without taking some risk.
“Apply anyway — you probably won’t get it, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Opportunity seldom knocks twice.
A chance like this may not come again.
“Take the secondment. Opportunity seldom knocks twice.”
Better late than never.
Doing something belatedly still beats not doing it.
“He finally sent the thank-you card in March — better late than never.”
Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Deal with it now rather than letting it wait.
“The form takes five minutes. Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
What to learn next
Next: the proverbs for when a job stops being new.
Continue to Level 2: Keeping Going →