By Charlie Morgan

皇嘉 注

This story includes many “proverbs”, also called sayings or expressions. A proverb is a sentence that is repeated to give advice when a situation occurs. It often comes from an old story, and can include animals. One example is “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched”, meaning “don’t assume a good thing will happen—wait until you’re sure”. Of course, this is not only for chickens. After a job interview goes really well, don’t run out and buy new clothes—wait until you get the job for sure! These sentences occur in many cultures and languages, not just English. Can you think of some?

A: How’s everything with your new job at the restaurant?

B: Not so good. The boss picks on me. She always criticizes my work.

A: Maybe it’s because you’re a rookie.

B: No, she’s like that with everyone.

A: Maybe if you talk to her, she will turn over a new leaf.

B: No, a leopard can’t change its spots. That’s her personality.

A: Well, ignore[1] her and do your job. Just remember your paycheck[2].

B: I have another problem. The old workers bully[3] the new ones. They make me do all the dirty jobs, like cleaning the washroom.

A: Hang in there. It will get better. Soon, you won’t be the new one! Good things come to he who waits.

B: I want to quit. I hear the restaurant beside it is looking for waitresses.

A: Hey, it’s not a sure thing, you shouldn’t quit. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Wait until you get a new job first, and make sure it’s good.

B: I don’t care. Any old port in a storm!

A: Yes, but maybe the new boss will be worse. Then it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t!

B: But, the new restaurant looks fancier and the workers look happy.

A: Don’t judge a book by its cover. All that glitters isn’t gold. Can you talk to some of the workers there?

B: You’re right. I should look before I leap. The grass is always greener on the other side. I’ll try to calm down, stay at my job and look for a new one. So, how’s everything with your new boyfriend?

A: So-so. I found out that his last girlfriend was a cougar. She was twice his age! I don’t like him anymore. I think I’ll say goodbye and try another one.

B: Hey, don’t be so hasty. Maybe the new one will be worse!

Vocabulary

1. ignore: 不理，忽視。

2. paycheck: 薪金，工資。

3. bully: 欺負。

Exercise

1. pick on a. to go from a bad situation to one that is
even worse

2. criticize b. stay with bad situation you know, maybe new
one will be worse

3. rookie c. decide too quickly, maybe wrong

4. turn over a new leaf d. don’t lose what you have trying to get
better thing that you’re not sure to get

5. A leopard can’t change its spots e. There are many things that glitter, but they
are not gold. Don’t be fooled by outward
appearances

6. hang in there f. used to say that you should not form an
opinion based only on the way something looks

7. Good things come to he who waits g. new at the workplace

8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush h. be careful before you do. Think
first

9. any old port in a storm i. try to change oneself, such as being nicer

10. out of the frying pan and into the fire j. unfairly blame someone for something

11. better the devil you know k. people don’t change their bad personality

12. Don’t judge a book by its cover l. say bad things or express disapproval of
something

13. All that glitters isn’t gold m. a not-young woman who dresses young and
looks for younger man

14. look before you leap n. If you’re patient, you’ll have good luck

15. The grass is always greener on the other side o. In an emergency, anywhere safe
is okay

16. cougar p. be strong, bad time will end soon!

17. hasty q. people always want what they don’t have

Answers: 1–j, 2–l, 3–g, 4–i, 5–k, 6–p, 7–n, 8–d, 9–o, 10–a, 11–b, 12–f, 13–e, 14–h, 15–q, 16–m, 17–c

Usage Tips

1. 在口語里，如果說一個人是rookie的話，就說明對方是初來乍到的新手，該詞可用于工作場合，比如，指代那些剛參加工作不久的新員工。在體育界、警局或是軍隊中，rookie這個詞也很常見，指剛來報到的第一年的生手或新兵。

2. 使用一個較長的諺語時，有時只需說前半句就可以了，如：Don’t count your chickens (before they are hatched); The grass is always greener (on the other side); A bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush); Better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t). 等等；以上例子中舉出的諺語在使用時可省掉括號里的部分。

3. 其他一些比較常見流行的諺語還有：

Don’t cry over spilt milk.（不要作無益的后悔，不要為無可挽回的事而憂傷。）

Too many cooks spoil the broth.（廚師多了燒壞湯，意指一個人作主就夠了。）

Two heads are better than one.（兩人智慧勝一人。）

Slow and steady wins the race.（穩扎穩打，無往不勝。）

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.（不要對禮物吹毛求疵。）

The early bird gets the worm.（早起的鳥兒有蟲吃，即捷足者先登。）

（來源：英語學習雜志）