Idioms vs Proverbs vs Adages: What’s the difference and how do we use them correctly?

What distinguishes idioms from proverbs? These linguistic devices are both integral to the English language but they each serve different functions.

In this article, we will explore the topic of idioms vs proverbs and adages, helping you understand the similarities and differences. Of course, we’ll also share some examples of each one and discuss potential problems with using them so you can avoid any misunderstandings as you communicate in English.

What is the difference between idioms and proverbs?

The main difference between idioms and proverbs is that an idiom is a short phrase with its own meaning that cannot be understood from the definition of its individual words. A proverb is a well-known saying that typically imparts wisdom, advice, or a warning.

An idiom is an example of figurative language, as it has a non-literal meaning. For example, the idiom “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret, but it has nothing to do with cats or bags.

Proverbs sometimes have a figurative meaning and sometimes have a literal meaning. For example, “practice makes perfect” means that in order to perfect a skill, you must practice it. This is quite a straightforward meaning that you could probably work out without a dictionary definition.

On the other hand, “a stitch in time saves nine” means that addressing a problem early on will avoid bigger problems later. This proverb uses figurative language and would be difficult to understand by looking at the words alone.

In this way, there is some overlap between proverbs and idiomatic expressions.

So, to summarize the basic differences between idioms and proverbs:

Now, let’s quickly answer the question “What are idioms and proverbs?” in more detail before we look at some more examples and how to use them appropriately.

What is an idiom?

Idioms are phrases with figurative meanings. You cannot deduce the meaning of an idiom by looking at the literal definitions of its constituent words. This is what makes idioms different from ordinary, literal vocabulary.

Idioms add color and depth to the English language but can be confusing for non-native speakers. It’s difficult to make sense of an idiom without looking it up in a dictionary.

There are over 10,000 idioms used in the English language, and some scholars estimate there are more like 25,000. This can be a daunting prospect if you are an English learner!

Our full idioms guide explains what idioms are, different types, and how to use them.

Examples of idioms

Some examples of common idioms include:

Learning new idioms and understanding how to use them will give you a greater command of English.

However, it’s also important to remember that idioms should be used sparingly and appropriately. Overusing idioms can make your communication sound unnatural and forced. So, while it’s good to know these idioms, it’s equally important to use them judiciously.

Some idioms are also euphemisms – these phrases are used to talk about unpleasant or offensive topics in a more tactful way.

Exploring idiom origins

When you look at the origin of idioms, you often learn something interesting about the culture and history of the country where they are used.

The idiom ‘pull someone’s leg,’ for example, has roots in the seedy underbelly of London, where tricksters would literally pull the legs of their victims to trip them up and rob them. This idiom has moved on from its historical context, and its current meaning is to tease or joke with someone, rather than to steal from them.

What is a proverb?

A proverb is a short, well-known saying that conveys some kind of advice, wisdom, warning, or moral truth. It generally relates to the way you should behave or live, and is based on common sense or practical experience.

There are thousands of proverbs in use in English. Hundreds of them date back to the time of King Solomon, around 900 BC, and can be found in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Others have come into use much more recently, but they all serve the same purpose of contributing wise ideas and thoughts.

Examples of proverbs

Here are some common examples of proverbs that you’ll hear in everyday English.

These proverbs serve as mini life lessons, offering wisdom and guidance for our daily lives. However, like idioms, proverbs should also be used appropriately, considering the context and the intended message.

Proverbs vs adages

Proverbs and adages are very similar in nature and these terms are often used synonymously.

However, the key difference is that adages express universal truths; things that are already widely accepted. Proverbs commonly offer advice or state a thought-provoking observation about life.

The response to an adage is to agree with it, whereas the response to a proverb is to consider it thoughtfully and see how it could apply to you.

Don’t confuse adages with truth idioms, though!

Idioms vs proverbs

We have already mentioned some of the basic differences between idioms and proverbs, but there are some additional characteristics worth considering when comparing the two literary devices.

Expressive language vs wise wisdom

Proverbs and idioms serve different purposes in our language.

Idioms, with their figurative meanings, make our language more expressive. These short phrases often help us express ideas more concisely than we could with regular language.

For example, the idiom “bite the bullet” means “accept a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely” – so the idiom is a much neater way of expressing the same meaning (and it also has an interesting but gruesome origin from 18th-century wartime).

On the other hand, the idiom “in the blink of an eye” means “very quickly” – so it is not always the case that an idiom is shorter than its definition. However, in this case, the idiom offers a more poetic way of describing something that happens as fast as you can blink.

A proverb, meanwhile, is usually a short sentence that serves as a repository of wisdom, providing guidance and advice based on common sense or experience. It may also serve as a warning to others.

Figurative language vs literal meaning

Both idioms and proverbs make use of figurative language in some ways. Idioms are purely figurative, whereas proverbs can have a literal and a figurative meaning.

Let’s consider the proverb “It’s no use crying over spilled milk.” Taken literally, it expresses perfectly sound advice. If you spill some milk, there’s no point crying about it. However, to fully appreciate the meaning of this proverb, we must take a more figurative approach. It really means that you shouldn’t get upset about trivial things that cannot be undone.

Fixed phrases vs short sentences

We can also note differences in form and structure between idioms vs proverbs.

Idioms are considered a type of fixed phrase, and their words cannot be substituted or rearranged without changing their meaning or making them nonsensical. For example, if you were to try and say “spill the beans” as “spill a bean”, “drop the beans”, or “spill the peas,” it wouldn’t have the same meaning of revealing a secret.

Idioms can serve as verb phrases, adjective phrases, noun phrases, exclamations, and more.

Proverbs, on the other hand, are short sentences rather than phrases. They often use rhetorical devices like alliteration, parallelism, and repetition to enhance their memorability and impact.

Although proverbs usually follow fixed wording like idioms, there is a little more freedom to change the words but keep the same meaning.

For instance, “Don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched” could also be expressed as “Don’t count your chickens until they’ve hatched.” However, you can’t change this expression completely to “Don’t count your unhatched eggs.” The figurative meaning may be the same, but the expression is wrong.

If in doubt, don’t try to play around with the wording of proverbs or idioms. You may completely use the intended meaning.

How to use idioms and proverbs

In order to use proverbs and idioms effectively in speaking and writing, two things must occur:

1. You understand the meaning of the expression and how to use it appropriately.
2. Your audience understands the meaning of the expression.

In other words, idioms and proverbs will only enhance your communication if you use them correctly and the person you’re speaking to also understands them.

Let’s explore how to use proverbs and idioms in the correct context and avoid misunderstandings.

Using proverbs and idioms appropriately

We mentioned earlier that overuse of idioms and proverbs can make your language sound unnatural.

Additionally, some idioms are considered more casual and informal than others.

For example, if you want to talk about someone dying, “pass away” is a respectful and formal idiom whereas “kick the bucket” is an informal idiom that would not be appropriate in certain situations. We have an article about idioms for death that explores more expressions and when it’s appropriate to use them.

As you learn more idioms, you’ll find that some phrases that you hear chatting with friends might not be suitable for a business meeting, for example.

Challenges and misunderstandings in a digital world

The use of idioms and proverbs in the age of digital communication poses distinct challenges. Without the nuances of face-to-face interaction, idiomatic expressions can easily lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

When communicating with a non-native English speaker in writing you should be especially cautious about using proverbs and idioms, as you have no idea whether they are familiar with the phrases.

Even when speaking to a native English speaker, there are some distinctly British idioms and American idioms that may not be understood by someone from another part of the world.

Additionally, cultural nuances may mean that people associate different meanings with the sayings you use.

If you cannot be sure that the other person will understand idiomatic expressions, especially in writing, it is better to avoid using them altogether. The same general rule applies when considering idioms vs metaphors.

How to learn more idioms and proverbs

When learning English as a second language, make sure you incorporate proverbs and idioms as you learn new vocabulary.

One effective way to do this is through exposure to various sources such as:

• Books
• Movies
• Podcasts
• Songs
• Everyday conversations

By encountering idioms and proverbs in different contexts, you can better understand their meanings and how to use them appropriately. Make sure you keep a record of the new sayings you learn, so you can practice using them in conversation.

We also have an extensive library of idioms about different topics here at Improving Your English, so feel free to browse some of our articles to start learning today or check our YouTube channel where we publish idioms daily.

Summary

There is no doubt that idioms and proverbs make the English language richer in expression, even if they can be confusing to understand!

We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between idioms and proverbs, and you now feel more confident using them yourself.

Just keep in mind that it is not always appropriate to use lots of figurative sayings, especially when there is a chance your audience won’t understand them.

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