Category: ნ – პ

Never cast dirt into that fountain of which you have sometime drunk. Don’t burn your bridges behind you. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Don’t spit into the well… Read more »

The cask savours of the first fill. Leopard does not change its spots. Can the Ethiopian change his colour (his skin)? (Br.). A (The) leopard cannot (does not) change his… Read more »

When sorrow is asleep wake it not. Let sleeping dogs lie. Avoid evil and it will avoid you (Am.). Avoid the evil and it will avoid thee (Br.). Do not… Read more »

Не that steals an egg will steal a chicken (an ox) (Am.). Не that will steal an egg, will steal an ox (Br.). Не that will steal an ounce will… Read more »

If coals do not burn, they blacken (Br.). If the ball does not stick to the wall, it will at least leave a mark (Br.). Fling dirt enough and some… Read more »

A fox is not taken twice in the same snare. A fish never nibbles at the same hook twice (Am.). A fox is not caught twice in the same place… Read more »

Every cask smells of the wine it contains. Eagles do not breed doves (Br.). Figs do not grow on thistles (Am.). One cannot gather grapes of thorns or figs of… Read more »

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Look not a gift horse in the mouth. À cheval donné on ne regarde pas les dents. Дареному коню в зубы не… Read more »

A threatened blow is seldom given.  . A blate cat, a proud mouse. Great boast, small roast (Am., Br.). Un chat bête, (stupide) une souris fière. Захвастался да и захрястался…. Read more »

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Adversity is the test of friendship (Am). A friend is best found in adversity (Am.). A friend is never known till a… Read more »

An act of kindness is well repaid (Am.). The good you do to others will always come back to you (Am.). The hand that gives gathers (Am., Br.) Do well… Read more »

God reaches us good things by our own hands (Br.). God sends every bird its food, but he does not throw it into the nest (Am.). Roasted ducks don’t fly… Read more »

A cobbler’s child is always the worst shod (Am.). The cobbler’s children usually go unshod (Br.). The cobbler’s wife is the worst shod (Br.). The blacksmith’s horse and the shoemaker’s… Read more »

Bread is the staff of life (Am., Br.). If you have bread, don’t look for cake (Am.). Never quarrel with your bread and butter (Am.). Le pain est le personnel… Read more »

a) Every cook knows to lick her own fingers (Am.). Every honest miller has a thumb of gold (a golden thumb) (Br.). b) You cannot make an omelet (pancakes) without… Read more »

Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile (an ell, a yard) (Am., Br.). Give knaves an inch and they will take a yard (Br.). Give the devil an… Read more »

One beats the bush, and another catches the bird. I talk of chalk and you of cheese (Br.). What’s that got to do with the price of apples (eggs, horses)? (Am.) Les uns bossent les autres mangent. Пётр пёк, а Павел парил Примерили на Петра, а сшили Павлу (досл.)…. Read more »