better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is/bˈɛɾɚɹ ɐ dˈɪnɚɹ ʌv ˈɜːbz ðˌænə stˈɔːld ˈɑːks wˌɛɹ hˈeɪt ɪz/sentence
used to emphasize the value of genuine connections and meaningful interactions over superficial or extravagant experiences
"A simple kind meal beats a lavish one filled with conflict — better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is."
"She preferred the modest staff lunches to the tense client dinners — better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is."
the company makes the feast/ðə kˈʌmpəni mˌeɪks ðə fˈiːst/sentence
used to imply that good company can enhance the enjoyment of a meal or gathering, emphasizing the value of social connections and relationships in creating a positive atmosphere
"Good company makes any gathering enjoyable — the company makes the feast."
"The venue was ordinary but the people made the evening — the company makes the feast."
(adversity|politics) makes strange bedfellows/ædvˈɚsɪɾi ɔːɹ pˈɑːlətˌɪks mˌeɪks stɹˈeɪndʒ bˈɛdfɪlˌoʊz/sentence
used to imply difficult situations can bring together unlikely allies, as people may put aside their differences to work toward a common goal in the face of adversity
"Adversity makes strange bedfellows."
"During the economic crisis, two rival companies joined forces to survive, proving once again that adversity makes strange bedfellows, as they had been fierce competitors for over a decade."
(absence|distance) makes the heart grow fonder/ˈæbsəns ɔːɹ dˈɪstəns mˌeɪks ðə hˈɑːɹt ɡɹˈoʊ fˈɑːndɚ/sentence
used to suggest that being separated from someone or something can increase one's affection and appreciation for them
"Absence makes heart fonder."
"After being away for a year, their reunion showed that absence makes the heart grow fonder."
better be alone than in bad company/bˈɛɾɚ biː ɐlˈoʊn ðɐn ɪn bˈæd kˈʌmpəni/sentence
used to emphasize the importance of choosing one's companions carefully and avoiding negative influences, even if it means being alone
"Being alone is better than being with bad people — better be alone than in bad company."
"She walked away from the toxic team without regret — better be alone than in bad company."
clothing is cherishable when new, but relationship when old/klˈoʊðɪŋ ɪz tʃˈɛɹɪʃəbəl wɛn nˈuː bˌʌt ɹɪlˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp wɛn ˈoʊld/sentence
used to imply that while new things may bring temporary joy, long-lasting relationships are more valuable and worthy of cherishing
"Relationships improve with time — clothing is cherishable when new, but relationships when old."
"The long-standing partnership was far more valuable than the newer ones — clothing is cherishable when new, but relationships when old."
used to suggest that the more familiar one becomes with someone or something, the more likely one is to develop a negative attitude or lack of respect toward them
"They work together too closely and now argue all the time — familiarity breeds contempt."
"After years of working in the same small office, tensions rose — familiarity breeds contempt."
good company on the road is the shortest cut/ɡˈʊd kˈʌmpəni ɑːnðə ɹˈoʊd ɪz ðə ʃˈɔːɹɾəst kˈʌt/sentence
used to imply that having good companionship on a journey can make the journey seem shorter and more enjoyable
"Good company makes travel short."
"The difficult project felt manageable with the right team — good company on the road is the shortest cut."
long absent, soon forgotten/lˈɑːŋ ˈæbsənt sˈuːn fɚɡˈɑːʔn̩/sentence
used to imply that when someone is away for a long time, people tend to forget about them or lose interest in them
"People forget those who are absent for too long — long absent, soon forgotten."
"He had been away from the organisation for so long that his influence had faded — long absent, soon forgotten."
out of sight, out of mind/ˌaʊɾəv sˈaɪt ˌaʊɾəv mˈaɪnd/phrase
used to imply that people tend to forget about things or people that are no longer visible or present in their lives
"The old toys are out of sight."
"Once the project was completed and the team dispersed, it was out of sight, out of mind."
far from eye, far from heart/fˈɑːɹ fɹʌm ˈaɪ fˈɑːɹ fɹʌm hˈɑːɹt/phrase
used to suggest that when people or things are physically distant, there is a tendency for individuals to forget about them and feel less emotionally attached
"She moved away, far from eye, far from heart."
"The old saying far from eye far from heart means you forget about people when you do not see them often."
they are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind/ðeɪ ɑːɹ nˌɑːt dˈɛd hˌuː lˈɪv ɪnðə hˈɑːɹts ðeɪ lˈiːv bɪhˈaɪnd/sentence
used to imply that people who have passed away continue to live on through the memories and love they leave behind in the hearts of those who knew them
"Her memory lives on."
"Her mentor had been gone for years but guided every decision she made — they are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind."
the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb/ðə blˈʌd ʌvðə kˈʌvənənt ɪz θˈɪkɚ ðɐn ðə wˈɔːɾɚɹ ʌvðə wˈuːm/sentence
used to suggest that chosen relationships based on shared experiences and mutual loyalty are more important than those based solely on blood ties that are not chosen
"Friends are chosen family."
"The team she had built felt more like family than her own relatives — the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb."
Learn all 13 words in this list with spaced repetition