First come, first served
This is the penalty of lateness. Those who arrive early get a better choice. 'I bought a lovely dress for two pounds at the sale,' Mary told her... Read more →
The eye is bigger than the belly
Many of us, particularly children, over-estimate the capacity of our stomachs.
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth
The meaning of the principle, an eye for an eye, is that a person who has injured another person receives the same injury in compensation. The... Read more →
Extremes meet
The humble man can become so humble as to be haughty about his humbleness. In this way it might be said that the extremes of haughtiness and... Read more →
Experience is the teacher of fools
It has been said that experience is the best teacher, but that the school fees are high. This is another way of saying that although we... Read more →
Experience is the mother of wisdom
Out of experience comes wisdom. We learn by our mistakes. For the meaning of 'mother' in this sense see Necessity is the mother of invention.
Expectation is better than realization
Nothing is as good as it seems beforehand. When we have gained our object, or reached the point when we can enjoy something we have been looking... Read more →
Exchange is no robbery
This is usually the excuse given by those who have had the advantage of an unfair exchange. If Tom exchanges with Jack a pair of football boots... Read more →
The exception proves the rule
An exception is something that does not follow the rule. When we say that the exception proves the rule, we mean that excepting those cases... Read more →
Youth will be served
Another version is Youth will have its course. Let the young enjoy themselves while they can. When all the world is young, lad, And all the... Read more →