Situations & States

Situations & States - Possibility & Impossibility

school icon18 Words
10 min
you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him / it / her drink
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used to suggest that while one can provide someone with an opportunity, one cannot force them to take advantage of it, as ultimately people must make their own choices and decisions
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above black there is no color (, and above salt there is no savor)
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used to imply that when a situation has reached a certain extreme or chaotic state, it cannot become any worse or more aggravated
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every man has / hath a fool in his sleeve
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used to imply that regardless of how intelligent or wise a person may appear, everyone is capable of making mistakes or acting in a foolish manner at times
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fools may / might sometimes speak to the purpose / point
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used to suggest that even those considered foolish may occasionally have valuable insights or solutions to offer
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if things were to be done twice, all would be wise
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used to suggest that if people were given a second chance to do something, they would likely make better decisions, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's mistakes
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whatever / what man has done, man may do
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used to imply that if someone has accomplished something in the past, then it is possible for others to achieve the same thing, encouraging people to pursue their goals with determination
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lightning never strikes the same place twice
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used to express the idea that a highly unlikely event or occurrence is not likely to happen again in the same place or to the same person
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a ragged colt may make a good horse
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used to suggest that something or someone that appears unpromising or unremarkable at first may have the potential to become successful or valuable in the future
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a stream cannot rise above its source
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used to imply that someone or something cannot surpass their own limitations, such as their own abilities, resources, or environment
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hares may / might / can pull dead lions by the beard
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used to imply that power and influence can be fleeting, as even the weak or small can have power over the strong or mighty when they are in a vulnerable state
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the age of miracles is (long) past
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used to emphasize the idea that people should not rely on miraculous or supernatural intervention to solve their problems but should instead work towards practical solutions
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if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is
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used to suggest that if something appears too beneficial or advantageous, it is likely false or deceptive, urging people to be cautious and use critical thinking skills to evaluate such claims
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men may meet but mountains never
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used to suggest that there are inherent boundaries or limitations that prevent certain things from happening
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you cannot lose what you never had
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used to imply that it is not worth being upset or anxious about losing something that never existed, emphasizing the importance of focusing on reality
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you / one cannot serve two masters
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used to imply that dividing attention, loyalty, or effort between conflicting interests or allegiances will lead to a lack of commitment and failure or poor performance in all of them
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you cannot get a quart into a pint pot
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used to imply that it is impossible to fit too much into a small space, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the limitations of a situation
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you cannot please everyone / everybody
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used to imply that trying to make everyone happy is impossible, emphasizing that it is important to be true to oneself rather than constantly seeking others' approval
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if wishes were horses (, the beggars would ride)
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used to emphasize that simply wishing for something is not enough to attain it, and that people must work hard and take action to achieve their goals
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