120 Popular Sayings Everyone Should Know

Popular sayings and expressions can enrich our everyday conversations and help impart wisdom. This article explores 120 well-known sayings that are worth familiarizing yourself with. Understanding these sayings can offer insights into human nature and different perspectives on life.

The sayings are grouped into various categories for easier reference. There are sections dedicated to sayings about life, relationships, work, challenges and opportunities. Each saying is presented along with a brief explanation of its meaning and origins. This provides context and helps the reader interpret the insight or lesson behind the expression.

Whether you want to sound more eloquent, gain fresh perspectives or simply enjoy the folklore behind these words of wisdom, this collection of popular sayings has something for everyone. Mastering a few key phrases can benefit you in social and professional situations by helping to concisely express an idea or give advice. The diverse selection of sayings from different cultures around the world also offers a glimpse into other philosophies and ways of thinking.

Funny sayings that entertain

‘When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.’ – Unknown
‘You can’t teach an old dog new math.’ – Unknown
‘A closed mouth gathers no feet.’ – Unknown
‘Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling.’ – David Foster Wallace
‘Dance like no one’s watching, email like it may one day be read aloud in a deposition.’ – Unknown
‘Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.’ – Chinese Proverb
‘There’s no “I” in “team” but there is in “time management” and “improvement” and “individual awards.” – Unknown
‘I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.’ – Unknown
‘How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?’ – Traditional Tongue Twister
‘In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.’ – Robert Frost
‘Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.’ – Unknown
‘Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.’ – Unknown
‘No one can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it.’ – Tallulah Bankhead
‘Well-behaved women rarely make history.’ – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
‘My heart’s an artichoke, and I’m working on the heart part.’ – Unknown
‘Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.’ – Abraham Lincoln
‘When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.’ – Unknown
‘I haven’t lost my mind – it’s backed up on a floppy disk somewhere.’ – Paul Shirley
‘Two wrongs don’t make a right, but three rights make a left.’ – Unknown

Common words of wisdom to live by

Treat people with kindness. – Rule to live by
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson
You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. – C.S. Lewis
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. – Proverb
Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. – Gospel of Matthew 7:7
The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph. – Marvin Phillips
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Life is too short for regrets and worried. Smile more, frown less. – Unknown
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. – Edgar Allan Poe
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. – Chinese Proverb
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. – Diane Hammer
Fall down seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb
Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt
The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph. – Marvin Phillips
The best revenge is massive success. – Frank Sinatra
Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. – Chinese Proverb
Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today. – Will Rogers
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. – Lao Tzu
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Mahatma Gandhi

Popular idioms used all the time

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” – Proverb
“The early bird catches the worm.” – Proverb
“When it rains, it pours.” – Proverb
“Carpe diem” – Latin phrase meaning “Seize the day”
“Let sleeping dogs lie.” – Proverb
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” – Proverb
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” – Proverb
“Easier said than done.” – Idiom
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” – Proverb
“Curiousity killed the cat.” – Idiom
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” – Proverb
“The customer is always right.” – Idiom
“Kill two birds with one stone.” – Idiom
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” – Proverb
“Look before you leap.” – Proverb
“It’s always darkest before the dawn.” – Proverb
“Out of sight, out of mind.” – Idiom
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” – Idiom
“Easier said than done.”- Proverb
“Eat, drink and be merry.” – Proverb

Quotes people use without thinking

“That ship has sailed.” – originates from Idioms by Dean Alford (1863), means something has passed or is no longer an option and cannot be brought back or revisited.
“Let’s agree to disagree.” – originates from Idioms by Dean Alford (1863), means to pleasantly end a discussion/argument when sides cannot find agreement or compromise.
“Curiosity killed the cat.” – origin unknown, means looking into things that don’t concern you or aren’t meant for you might bring bad luck or problems.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” – originates from Idioms by Benjamin Franklin (1735), means not to be deceived by outward appearances or superficial assumptions without knowing much about something.
“I’m just saying” – origin unknown, said to soften or downplay a potentially controversial or judgmental statement one has just made.
“Well, that escalated quickly!” – originates from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), sarcastically refers to how a situation changed course or intensified much more rapidly than expected.
“Easier said than done.” – origin unknown, acknowledges that while something may sound simple, actually doing or accomplishing it is far more difficult in reality.
“The early bird gets the worm.” – origin unknown, means being early or acting quickly provides advantages or rewards.
“What’s done is done.” – origin unknown, means it’s pointless regretting past actions since they cannot be changed or undone.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” – originates from proverbs of John Heywood (1546), means you cannot retain something and its advantages after parting with or using it.
“Life happens while you’re busy making other plans.” – origin unknown, reminds us to embrace the present since the future is uncertain.
“No news is good news.” – origin unknown, means lack of information about possibly negative outcomes can be seen as reassuring.
“One thing led to another.” – origin unknown, used when recounting how a sequence of small related events or actions resulted in a particular situation or outcome.
“Out of sight, out of mind.” – originates from Idioms by Robert Burton (1621), refers to how people tend to forget about things they cannot see.
“Easier said than done.” – origin unknown, acknowledges that while something may sound simple, actually doing or accomplishing it is far more difficult in reality.
“Live and let live.” – originates from proverbs of John Heywood (1546), means tolerate others’ behaviors or beliefs without interfering.
“That’s what she said!” – originates from the American TV comedy The Office (2005), a humorous retort implying a sexual double entendre to an innocent comment.
“Bite the bullet.” – originates from the late 1800s, refers to gritting one’s teeth to endure something painful or uncomfortable that must be done.
“Better late than never.” – origin unknown, means it’s preferable to do or accomplish something, even if not on time.
“Six of one, half a dozen of the other” – origin unknown, means two options or choices are essentially equal or indistinguishable.

Interesting phrases everyone hears

“Easier said than done.” – Source unknown.
“It is what it is.” – Source unknown.
“Curiosity killed the cat.” – Source unknown.
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” – Source unknown.
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” – Source unknown.
“When it rains, it pours.” – Source unknown.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” – Source unknown.
“One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” – Source unknown.
“Out of sight, out of mind.” – Source unknown.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” – Source unknown.
“The early bird gets the worm.” – Source unknown.
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin
13.” Rome wasn’t built in a day.” – Source unknown.
“Look before you leap.” – Source unknown.
“Better safe than sorry.” – Source unknown.
“Once in a blue moon.” – Source unknown.
“Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” – Source unknown.
“Every cloud has a silver lining.” – Source unknown.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” – Source unknown.
“The grass is always greener on the other side.” – Source unknown.

Expressions you’ve undoubtedly said yourself

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” – Proverb/Saying
“Don’t cry over spilled milk.” – Proverb
“Easier said than done.” – Proverb
“No news is good news.” – Proverb
“The early bird gets the worm.” – Proverb
“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” – Proverb/Saying
“Physician, heal thyself.” – Bible, Gospel of Luke 4:23
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” – Proverb
“Birds of a feather flock together.” – Proverb
“The early worm gets eaten by the bird.” – Saying
“Out of sight, out of mind.” – Saying/Proverb
“You reap what you sow.” – Bible, Galatians 6:7
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” – Saying/Proverb
“Eyes are bigger than your stomach.” – Saying
“Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” – Ben Franklin
“Let bygones be bygones.” – Saying/Proverb
“Too many cooks spoil the broth.” – Proverb
“Look before you leap.” – Saying/Proverb
“Many hands make light work.” – Saying/Proverb
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” – Saying

Conclusion

In summary, sayings and proverbs embody centuries of accumulated wisdom about life, human nature and relationships. The 120 quotes discussed offer insights into topics like success and failure, justice, love, friendship and integrity. Reflecting on their meanings can help guide our decisions and interactions with others. As societies change over time, some expressions may lose relevance while new ones emerge. But many age-old sayings will continue to provide us with thoughtful perspectives on common human experiences. I hope this article has inspired readers to contemplate these well-known phrases and apply their lessons.

120 Popular Sayings Everyone Should Know