Idioms are special phrases that people use to give advice in a fun and easy way. These phrases don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have hidden meanings that help people share smart tips or warnings. Using idioms for advice can make talking or writing more interesting and clear.
When someone wants to help a friend or give a good suggestion, idioms for advice come in handy. They can teach lessons about life, school, or friendships in simple words. This article will explain what idioms for advice are and give examples to help you understand and use them easily.
Idioms for Advice
1. Better safe than sorry
Meaning: It’s smarter to be careful than to take a big risk.
Samples: Always wear a helmet when biking because it’s better safe than sorry. / I double-checked my homework; better safe than sorry.
To Put it Another Way: Be careful so you don’t get hurt. / It’s good to be cautious.
2. Look before you leap
Meaning: Think carefully before you do something.
Samples: Don’t jump into the pool without checking the water first, look before you leap. / She looked before she leapt and planned her project well.
To Put it Another Way: Think first, then act. / Check things out before doing them.
3. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on just one thing.
Samples: I’m applying to three schools, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. / When you save money, don’t put it all in one place.
To Put it Another Way: Spread out your chances. / Don’t risk everything at once.
4. Practice makes perfect
Meaning: Doing something a lot helps you get better at it.
Samples: I practiced the piano every day because practice makes perfect. / Keep trying your best in soccer practice makes perfect.
To Put it Another Way: Keep practicing, and you will improve. / Doing something again and again helps.
5. Two heads are better than one
Meaning: It’s easier to solve a problem with help from others.
Samples: We worked on the science project together because two heads are better than one. / Ask a friend for help, two heads are better than one.
To Put it Another Way: Teamwork helps. / It’s good to get ideas from others.
6. Don’t bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Don’t try to do too much at once.
Samples: Don’t sign up for too many clubs, don’t bite off more than you can chew. / Take your time on your homework so you don’t get overwhelmed.
To Put it Another Way: Take on what you can handle. / Don’t try to do too many things.
7. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Meaning: Big things take time and effort.
Samples: Don’t give up on learning the guitar. Rome wasn’t built in a day. / It takes time to get good at reading.
To Put it Another Way: Be patient. / Things need time to get better.
8. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say.
Samples: She helped her friend instead of just talking about it. Actions speak louder than words. / Show kindness by doing nice things.
To Put it Another Way: Do what you say. / Your actions matter more than your words.
9. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t decide about something or someone by their looks.
Samples: The new student seemed shy, but she’s very smart. Don’t judge a book by its cover. / That old bike works great!
To Put it Another Way: Look deeper than just appearances. / Things are not always what they seem.
10. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning: Even bad things can have a good side.
Samples: I was sad about losing the game, but I learned a lot Every cloud has a silver lining. / When it rains, you can still play inside and have fun.
To Put it Another Way: Look for the good in bad situations. / There’s hope even in hard times.
11. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Meaning: Follow the customs of the place you are in.
Samples: When visiting a new school, try to follow their rules when in Rome, do as the Romans do. / When you’re at a friend’s house, be polite like they are.
To Put it Another Way: Fit in and respect the rules. / Do what others around you do.
12. You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Meaning: You can’t have two things that don’t go together.
Samples: You can’t watch TV all night and get a good grade you can’t have your cake and eat it too. / You can’t spend all your money and save it too.
To Put it Another Way: You must choose between some things. / You can’t have everything.
13. The early bird catches the worm
Meaning: People who start early have an advantage.
Samples: I get up early to study, the early bird catches the worm. / If you get to class on time, you learn more.
To Put it Another Way: Being early helps you succeed. / Start early to do well.
14. Look on the bright side
Meaning: Try to find the good part in a bad situation.
Samples: I missed the bus, but I got to walk with my friend look on the bright side. / Even if it rains, we can play games inside.
To Put it Another Way: Think positive. / Find the good in things.
15. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it does.
Samples: Don’t celebrate your test grade before you see it don’t count your chickens before they hatch. / Wait until the game is over to cheer.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t expect something before it happens. / Be patient and wait.
16. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink
Meaning: You can help someone, but you can’t force them to accept it.
Samples: I gave my friend advice, but she had to decide you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. / You can teach your sibling, but they must try too.
To Put it Another Way: People must want to help themselves. / You can’t force someone to do something.
17. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t be upset about things that can’t be changed.
Samples: I lost my pencil, but I won’t cry over spilled milk. / If you forget your lunch, it’s okay, don’t worry.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get sad over small mistakes. / Move on from problems.
18. Practice what you preach
Meaning: Do what you tell others to do.
Samples: If you tell friends to be kind, be kind yourself practice what you preach. / I remind my little brother to share, and I share too.
To Put it Another Way: Do as you say. / Set a good example.
19. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fix a small problem right away to avoid a bigger one later.
Samples: I fixed my torn book page before it got worse A stitch in time saves nine. / Clean your room now, so it won’t be a big mess later.
To Put it Another Way: Take care of problems early. / Fix things before they get worse.
20. It’s no use crying over spilled milk
Meaning: It’s not helpful to be upset over something that already happened.
Samples: I lost my homework, but it’s no use crying over spilled milk. / If you miss the bus, don’t worry too much.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get upset about past mistakes. / Let go of what can’t be changed.
21. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
Meaning: Do important things now, not later.
Samples: I finished my homework early because I don’t like to put things off until tomorrow. / Clean your room today instead of waiting.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t wait to do things. / Do things on time.
22. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
Meaning: Keep trying even if you fail at first.
Samples: I missed the goal, but I kept practicing if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. / Don’t give up on reading; practice more.
To Put it Another Way: Keep working until you succeed. / Don’t quit after failing.
23. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t decide about something by its appearance.
Samples: That shy kid is really funny don’t judge a book by its cover. / The old car runs great.
To Put it Another Way: Look beyond how things look. / Don’t make quick decisions by appearance.
24. Every dog has its day
Meaning: Everyone will have a good time or a chance sometime.
Samples: Don’t worry if you lost the game, every dog has its day. / Your turn to be the leader is coming.
To Put it Another Way: Good things happen to everyone. / Your time will come.
25. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning: What you do matters more than what you say.
Samples: She helped without being asked, actions speak louder than words. / Be kind by showing it, not just saying it.
To Put it Another Way: Show with actions, not just words. / What you do is important.
26. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs
Meaning: Sometimes you must accept some problems to get something good.
Samples: I had to practice a lot before winning You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs. / Learning is hard but worth it.
To Put it Another Way: You must go through hard parts to succeed. / Success may need some trouble.
27. Look before you leap
Meaning: Think carefully before doing something.
Samples: I checked the instructions twice because look before you leap. / Don’t rush into things.
To Put it Another Way: Think first, then act. / Be careful before doing something.
28. A penny saved is a penny earned
Meaning: Saving money is just as good as earning it.
Samples: I put money in my piggy bank because a penny saved is a penny earned. / Don’t spend all your allowance.
To Put it Another Way: Save money when you can. / Saving is important.
29. You reap what you sow
Meaning: You get back what you put in (your effort).
Samples: I studied hard and got a good grade you reap what you sow. / If you help others, they help you.
To Put it Another Way: Your work decides your results. / What you do comes back to you.
30. Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Meaning: If you really want something, you will find a way to get it.
Samples: I kept trying to learn to ride a bike where there’s a will, there’s a way. / Don’t give up on your dreams.
To Put it Another Way: If you try hard, you can succeed. / Keep trying to reach your goals.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Advice
Last week at school, Jamie was feeling nervous about the big math test. His friend Sara told him, “Better safe than sorry study a little more tonight.” Jamie agreed and said, “You’re right, I shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what I can do today.”
The next day, Jamie’s teacher reminded the class, “Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep trying your best, even if it’s hard.” Jamie also heard another student say, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew,” when talking about joining clubs.
After school, Jamie wanted to try out for the basketball team. His coach told him, “Look before you leap. Make sure you’re ready and prepared.” Jamie nodded and promised to work hard. Sara cheered him on, saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
Later, Jamie spilled some juice at lunch. Sara smiled and said, “Don’t cry over spilled milk. It’s okay.” Jamie laughed and said, “Thanks! I’ll look on the bright side and keep going.”
Your Task:
Underline or list all the idioms for advice you found in the story.
Answer Key
- Better safe than sorry
- Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
- Practice makes perfect
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew
- Look before you leap
- If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
- Don’t cry over spilled milk
- Look on the bright side
Conclusion
Idioms for advice help us give good tips in a fun and easy way. They make talking about smart choices or warnings simple to understand. Using these idioms can help you share ideas clearly and help friends with useful advice.
Learning these sayings can also make your speaking and writing more interesting. Whether you tell someone to “look before you leap” or remind them “practice makes perfect,” these idioms give advice that lasts.
