Let’s make hay while the sun shines!

Meaning: make the most of an opportunity while you have the chance

What is an adage or proverb and how can we tell what they mean?

Proverbs or adages offer advice and observations about life. You can build your

knowledge of these by asking someone what they mean or by looking them up online. They are sometimes very figurative. Proverbs are very similar to adages. It is important that you

are able to tell what they mean so that you can understand the meaning of the text.

Let’s practice. Each of the the following slides show a proverb (or adage). Discuss with a partner what you think each one means. Your teacher will then click to reveal the actual meaning. Good luck!

A watched pot never boils …

Things you look forward to seem to take a long time to happen.

You live, and you learn …

Mistakes can teach useful lessons.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you …

Don’t hurt those who take care of you, or they may not want to take care of you anymore.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained …

You can’t expect to achieve something if you never even try to

do it.

The early bird catches the worm …

If you start something early, you have a better chance of succeeding at it.

Find the proverb (or adage) in each sentence, and then decide the correct

meaning. You may confer with a partner.

Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs

lie and not mention it again.

a. It is better not to restart an old argument.b. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep

on the floor.

Although I was still mad at my cousin for losing my book, I decided to let sleeping dogs

lie and not mention it again.

a. It is better not to restart an old argument.

b. It is better to let your relatives’ pets sleep on the floor.

*They are not LITERALLY talking about dogs. They are using figurative language!

When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every day keeps them from scolding you.

b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in good health.

When I pack my lunch, I always tell myself that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

a. Telling doctors you eat an apple every day keeps them from scolding you.

b. Eating an apple every day keeps you in good health.

Dad said that while the rest of us are out grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay while the sun shines and take a nap.

a. The best place to take a nap is outside in the sun.

b. Take advantage of an opportunity while you have chance to do so.

Dad said that while the rest of us are out grocery shopping, he’s going to make hay while the sun shines and take a nap.

a. The best place to take a nap is outside in the sun.

b. Take advantage of an opportunity while you have chance to do so.

When Danny asked his grandmother why she saved used wrapping paper, shereplied, “Waste not, want not.”

a. If you careful not to be wasteful, you will not find yourself in need of things.

b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a wasteful person.

When Danny asked his grandmother why she saved used wrapping paper, shereplied, “Waste not, want not.”

a. If you are careful not to be wasteful, you will not find yourself in need of things.

b. If you don’t want anything, you are not a wasteful person.

I didn’t want to move to a different town, but every cloud has a silver lining; I made lotsof friends at my new school.

a. You can find interesting shapes in every cloud in the sky.

b. You can find something good in every bad situation.

I didn’t want to move to a different town, but every cloud has a silver lining; I made lotsof friends at my new school.

a. You can find interesting shapes in every cloud in the sky.

b. You can find something good in every bad situation.

Here are some more common proverbs (adages). Talk with a partner about what you think they mean. Look their meanings up on the internet to confirm. Pick your favorite to illustrate and share with your classmates.

Birds of a feather flock together.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

The early bird gets the worm.   Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Better safe than sorry.    Never look a gift horse in the mouth.  The best things in life are free.   Two wrongs don't make a right.  Practice makes perfect.

Do not remove a fly from your friend’s head with a hatchet.

A bad penny always turns up.

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Actions speak louder than words.

All that glitters is not gold.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Now that you know about proverbs (adages), try to notice how often you hear them in

conversation, on TV, in music lyrics, and in your books. When you hear them, jot them

down to share in class!

Make hay while the sun shines!