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 as shown here: phrase first, meaning 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 answerWhoever gets there first has the best chance.
The early bird catches the worm.
“Tickets go on sale at six, so set an alarm — the early bird catches the worm.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →Act while the conditions are still in your favour.
Strike while the iron is hot.
“They loved the pitch — send the contract today and strike while the iron is hot.”
The best moment to begin is now.
There is no time like the present.
“You keep saying you’ll call her. There’s no time like the present.”
A careful start makes the rest of the work far easier.
Well begun is half done.
“We spent a week on the outline and the writing flew — well begun is half done.”
Even a huge undertaking starts with one small action.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
“Don’t think about the whole thesis. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →Fixing a small problem now prevents a large one later.
A stitch in time saves nine.
“That drip will rot the whole floor if you leave it. A stitch in time saves nine.”
Meaning, origin and more examples →Use a good opportunity while the conditions last.
Make hay while the sun shines.
“Orders are pouring in this month, so make hay while the sun shines.”
Waiting too long costs you the chance.
He who hesitates is lost.
“By the time he made up his mind the flat was gone — he who hesitates is lost.”
You cannot win anything without taking some risk.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“Apply anyway — you probably won’t get it, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
A chance like this may not come again.
Opportunity seldom knocks twice.
“Take the secondment. Opportunity seldom knocks twice.”
Doing something belatedly still beats not doing it.
Better late than never.
“He finally sent the thank-you card in March — better late than never.”
Deal with it now rather than letting it wait.
Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
“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 →