clergymen's sons always turn out badly
/klˈɜːdʒɪmˌɛnz sˈʌnz ˈɔːlweɪz tˈɜːn ˈaʊt bˈædli/
sentence
used to imply that the burden of high expectations placed on the children of successful or accomplished individuals can be damaging and lead to rebellion or negative behavior
doctors make the worst patients
/dˈɑːktɚz mˌeɪk ðə wˈɜːst pˈeɪʃənts/
sentence
used to imply that those who work in a certain profession may be difficult clients or recipients of services related to that profession due to their preconceived notions and knowledge of the field
every light has its shadow
/ˈɛvɹi lˈaɪt hɐz ɪts ʃˈædoʊ/
sentence
used to imply that in any situation or experience, there are both positive and negative aspects that coexist
every white has its black, and every sweet its sour
/ˈɛvɹi wˈaɪt hɐz ɪts blˈæk ænd ˈɛvɹi swˈiːt ɪts sˈaɪʊɹ/
sentence
used to emphasize that every positive or desirable thing is accompanied by its contrasting or negative counterpart
extremes meet
/ɛkstɹˈiːmz mˈiːt/
sentence
used to suggest that two seemingly opposite or extreme things or people can actually have some common ground or similarity, despite their apparent differences
from the sublime to the ridiculous is only a / one step
/fɹʌmðə sʌblˈaɪm tə ðə ɹɪdˈɪkjʊləs ɪz ˈoʊnli ɐ wˈʌn stˈɛp/
sentence
used to imply that it is possible for something that is very serious or profound to quickly and easily become something trivial or absurd, often with little warning or explanation
honey is sweet, but the bee stings
/hˈʌni ɪz swˈiːt bˌʌt ðə bˈiː stˈɪŋz/
sentence
used for saying that something may appear pleasant or desirable on the surface, but it can have negative or harmful consequences as well
one cannot love and be wise
/wˈʌn kænˈɑːt lˈʌv ænd biː wˈaɪz/
sentence
used to imply the idea that love is often associated with strong emotions and impulsive behavior, which can cloud a person's judgment and lead them to behave foolishly or make unwise decisions
opposites (often) (tend to) attract
/ˈɑːpəsˌɪts ˈɔfən tˈɛnd tʊ ɐtɹˈækt/
sentence
used to suggest that people are often drawn to those who are different from themselves in terms of personality, interests, or other characteristics
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
/ðə ɹˈoʊd tə hˈɛl ɪz pˈeɪvd wɪð ɡˈʊd ɪntˈɛnʃənz/
sentence
used to imply that even if one's intentions are good, one's actions may still lead to negative consequences, and that one must be mindful of the impact of one's actions on others
the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot
/ðə ʃˈuːmeɪkɚz sˈʌn ˈɔːlweɪz ɡoʊz bˈɛɹfʊt/
sentence
used to imply that professionals or experts in a particular field may neglect to use their skills or services for their own benefit or that of their family members
the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
/ðə spˈɪɹɪt ɪz wˈɪlɪŋ bˌʌt ðə flˈɛʃ ɪz wˈiːk/
sentence
used to suggest that even though a person may have the desire or intention to do something, their physical weakness or limitations may prevent them from actually carrying it out
there is no joy without alloy
/ðɛɹ ɪz nˈoʊ dʒˈɔɪ wɪðˌaʊt ˈælɔɪ/
sentence
used to suggest that even the happiest experiences in life come with some negative aspects or challenges
wanton kittens make sober cats
/wˈɑːntən kˈɪʔn̩z mˌeɪk sˈoʊbɚ kˈæts/
sentence
used to describe the behavior of young people, who may be impulsive and reckless in their youth but become more responsible and sensible as they get older
where God builds a church, the devil will build a chapel
/wˌɛɹ ɡˈɑːd bˈɪldz ɐ tʃˈɜːtʃ ðə dˈɛvəl wɪl bˈɪld ɐ tʃˈæpəl/
sentence
used to suggest that wherever there is progress or success, there will always be those who seek to exploit or corrupt it
God sends meat and / as the devil sends cooks
/ɡˈɑːd sˈɛndz mˈiːt ænd æz ðə dˈɛvəl sˈɛndz kˈʊks/
sentence
used to warn against being misled by tempting but ultimately harmful or unnecessary things, emphasizing that God provides what we need while the devil tempts us with what we want
fire is a good servant but a bad master
/fˈaɪɚɹ ɪz ɐ ɡˈʊd sˈɜːvənt bˌʌt ɐ bˈæd mˈæstɚ/
sentence
used to imply that while certain things can be beneficial when used properly, they can become harmful or dangerous if they are not controlled or managed effectively
go abroad and you will hear news of home
/ɡˌoʊ ɐbɹˈɔːd ænd juː wɪl hˈɪɹ nˈuːz ʌv hˈoʊm/
sentence
used to suggest that being away from home can make a person more interested in news from their home and family, as they are no longer directly involved in the daily events
one man's loss is another man's gain
/wˈʌn mˈænz lˈɔs ɪz ɐnˈʌðɚ mˈænz ɡˈeɪn/
sentence
used to imply that resources and opportunities are finite, and that one person's loss can create an opportunity for someone else to succeed
the cobbler's wife is the worst shod
/ðə kˈɑːblɚz wˈaɪf ɪz ðə wˈɜːst ʃˈɑːd/
sentence
used to suggest that professionals or experts in a particular field may neglect to apply their skills or services to their own lives or those of their immediate family
everyone / everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody / no one wants to die
/ˈɛvɹɪwˌʌn ˈɛvɹɪbˌɑːdi wˈɑːnts tə ɡˌoʊ tə hˈɛvən bˌʌt nˈoʊbɑːdi nˈoʊwˈʌn wˈɑːnts tə dˈaɪ/
sentence
used to suggest that people often desire the rewards or benefits of a particular goal but are not willing to take the necessary steps or make the necessary sacrifices to achieve it
the weakness of the enemy makes our strength
/ðə wˈiːknəs ʌvðɪ ˈɛnəmi mˌeɪks ˌaʊɚ stɹˈɛŋθ/
sentence
used to suggest that the vulnerabilities of one's opponent can provide an opportunity for one's own strength or power to be demonstrated
every rose has its thorn
/ˈɛvɹi ɹˈoʊz hɐz ɪts θˈɔːɹn/
sentence
used to imply that every good thing in life has its own negative aspects or challenges
Langeek no picture

Great!

You've reviewed all the words in this lesson!

Upgrade to premium

In order to continue your learning process you must upgrade to the premium plan