Cause & Effect: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that the consequences of one's actions or decisions are inevitable and cannot be avoided, and that people must accept the outcome of their choices, whether positive or negative

"Consequences are inevitable now."

"After his reckless spending, he must accept the financial hardship, for as a tree falls, so shall it lie."

used to emphasize the importance of preparation, planning, and taking the time to ensure that the start of a task or project is done well, as it could lead to a successful outcome

"Starting well sets up a good finish — a good beginning makes a good ending."

"The thorough planning phase paid off throughout the project — a good beginning makes for a good ending."

used to encourage and remind one that even the most challenging situations are temporary and that there is always the possibility of a brighter future

"Difficult times are followed by peace — after a storm comes a calm."

"The turbulent merger was followed by a period of stability — after a storm comes a calm."

used to suggest that those who are in positions of power or authority are often more vulnerable to failure or defeat because they have more to lose

"The more powerful something is, the harder it falls — the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

"The dominant market leader collapsed completely when the crisis hit — the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

used to emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and recognizing that the effort put in at the outset can significantly impact the eventual outcome

"What you do comes back to you — as you brew, so shall you bake."

"The poor decisions made early in the project came back to haunt the team — as you brew, so shall you bake."

used to emphasize the importance of taking into account the specific circumstances of a situation and making decisions based on those circumstances

"Rules change depending on the situation — circumstances alter cases."

"The policy was firm in principle, but circumstances often alter cases in practice."

used to say that every action or event has a cause or reason behind it, and that understanding the cause of an event can help one to understand its effects

"Everything has a reason — every why has a wherefore."

"She dug into the root cause because every why has a wherefore."

used to say that those who have malicious or negative intentions toward others will ultimately bring harm upon themselves

"Those who wish harm on others will suffer themselves — evil be to him who evil thinks."

"He schemed against his colleagues and found himself isolated — evil be to him who evil thinks."

used to imply that a person or entity will only receive payment if they are successful in achieving a specific outcome or result

"If it does not work, do not pay — no cure, no pay."

"The consultancy agreed to a no cure, no pay arrangement for the turnaround project."

used to imply that the outcome or result of a situation is determined by the factors that were present from the beginning

"Output reflects input — nothing comes out of the sack but what was in it."

"The poor quality of the work reflected the poor quality of the brief — nothing comes out of the sack but what was in it."

used to suggest that procrastination or delay will only prolong the time it takes to complete a task or project

"Starting early means finishing early — the sooner begun, the sooner done."

"She started the report a week early and submitted it with days to spare — the sooner begun, the sooner done."

used to suggest that it is easier to live without something when one has never experienced it or owned it before, and that one should focus on the things that one does have instead

"You do not miss what you have never known — what you have never had you never miss."

"Having grown up simply, she felt no sense of deprivation — what you have never had you never miss."

used to suggest that when something is obtained or achieved easily, it is often lost or wasted just as easily

"He spent all his money on clothes — easy come, easy go."

"The startup burned through its first round of funding in months — easy come, easy go, as investors observed."

used to imply that even innocent or unintended actions can have unintended consequences, and that people should be mindful of the potential risks or dangers of their behavior

"Showing weakness invites attack — the bleating of the kid excites the tiger."

"Publicising the company's financial difficulties only attracted hostile bids — the bleating of the kid excites the tiger."

used to imply that being proactive and taking early action gives someone an advantage in achieving success or obtaining what they want

"Arrive early and get the best — first in, best dressed."

"The team that submitted first secured the preferred slot — first in, best dressed."

used to suggest that success, power, or fortune is often temporary and that anything that rises to a high position or level will eventually fall or decline

"What rises must eventually come down — what goes up must come down."

"The share price soared and then dropped sharply — what goes up must come down."

used to say that when faced with a difficult situation or problem, people are motivated to find new solutions or innovations to overcome it

"They had no tools, so they made their own — necessity is the mother of invention."

"Cut off from supply chains during the crisis, the engineers improvised brilliantly — necessity is the mother of invention."

used to encourage individuals to be mindful of the significance of even small things and to recognize that there is often a deeper meaning or purpose behind them

"Even strange things have a logic — there is reason in the roasting of eggs."

"His unusual method seemed odd at first, but there is reason in the roasting of eggs — it worked."

used to imply that when people become too focused on acquiring something that is highly desired, it can lead to negative outcomes or loss for everyone involved

"Wanting everything leads to losing everything — all covet, all lose."

"He refused every offer hoping for a better one — all covet, all lose."

used to imply that those who are involved in something good, beneficial, or profitable are likely to enjoy the benefits themselves

"Those who work with temptation often give in — one who handles honey licks his fingers."

"He managed the expense accounts for years and eventually dipped in — one who handles honey licks his fingers."