the caribou feeds the wolf but it is the wolf that keeps the caribou strong/ðə kˈæɹɪbˌuː fˈiːdz ðə wˈʊlf bˌʌt ɪt ɪz ðə wˈʊlf ðæt kˈiːps ðə kˈæɹɪbˌuː stɹˈɔŋ/sentence
used to suggest that, just as the caribou is kept strong by the presence of the wolf, individuals can be strengthened by overcoming obstacles or difficulties
"Predators and prey define each other — the caribou feeds the wolf but it is the wolf that keeps the caribou strong."
"Competition strengthened both companies — the caribou feeds the wolf, but it is the wolf that keeps the caribou strong."
dogs of the same street bark alike/dˈɑːɡz ʌvðə sˈeɪm stɹˈiːt bˈɑːɹk ɐlˈaɪk/sentence
used to imply that people who share common backgrounds, experiences, or interests tend to have similar opinions, behaviors, or characteristics
"They all have similar views."
"The politicians from that region all expressed identical views on the issue; dogs of the same street bark alike."
the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world/ðə hˈænd ðæt ɹˈɑːks ðə kɹˈeɪdəl ɹˈuːlz ðə wˈɜːld/sentence
used to suggest that caregivers have a significant influence on the development, attitudes, and behaviors of children, and that this influence can shape the future of society
"Mothers have the most powerful influence — the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
"Her mother had shaped every value she held — the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
laugh and the (whole|) world laughs with you (; weep and you weep alone|)/lˈæf ænd ðə hˈoʊl wˈɜːld lˈæfz wɪð juː wˈiːp ænd juː wˈiːp ɐlˈoʊn/sentence
used to emphasize that through their laughter, individuals can influence the mood and reactions of those around them
"Joy is shared, sorrow is carried alone — laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone."
"Her success drew crowds of well-wishers, but when things went wrong, few stayed — laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone."
like breeds like/lˈaɪk bɹˈiːdz lˈaɪk/sentence
used to suggest that people tend to adopt similar beliefs, characteristics, and behaviors to those with whom they spend the most time
"His children are like him."
"The children adopted their parents' cynical outlook on life, proving that like breeds like."
like master, like man/lˈaɪk mˈæstɚ lˈaɪk mˈæn/sentence
used to suggest that the behavior and attitudes of a leader or authority figure are reflected in their subordinates or followers
"The boss is lazy."
"The entire department arrived late every day, demonstrating that like master, like man."
like people, like priest/lˈaɪk pˈiːpəl lˈaɪk pɹˈiːst/sentence
used to imply that the attitudes and behaviors of a group of people are reflected in those who represent them, and that individuals tend to choose leaders who share their values and beliefs
"The voters chose him."
"The voters elected a candidate who shared their extreme views, proving that like people, like priest."
mocking is catching/mˈɑːkɪŋ ɪz kˈætʃɪŋ/sentence
used to emphasize that negative behavior or attitudes can be contagious and spread from one person to another, creating a cycle of negative behavior
"Bad behaviour spreads — mocking is catching."
"The sarcastic tone set by one senior manager spread through the whole floor — mocking is catching."
the pen (is|proves) mightier than (the|) sword/ðə pˈɛn ɪz pɹˈuːvz mˈaɪɾɪɚ ðɐn ðə sˈoːɹd/sentence
used to suggest that words can be a powerful tool for influencing people's thoughts and actions, and can be more effective than physical force in bringing about change
"Writing is more powerful than force — the pen is mightier than the sword."
"The investigative journalist brought down the government with a single article — the pen is mightier than the sword."
money makes the world go round/mˈʌni mˌeɪks ðə wˈɜːld ɡˌoʊ ɹˈaʊnd/sentence
used to suggest that money is the driving force behind many of the world's activities and events, and that financial gain is often prioritized over other important values
"Money drives everything."
"Many charitable organizations struggle to operate without substantial donations, because money makes the world go round."
kissing goes by favor/kˈɪsɪŋ ɡoʊz baɪ fˈeɪvɚ/sentence
used to suggest that personal feelings and relationships can play a significant role in how people choose to show their affection, support, or favor
"Favour determines who gets what — kissing goes by favour."
"Promotions had nothing to do with performance — kissing goes by favour."
an ant may (well|) destroy (a|the) whole dam/ɐn ˈænt mˈeɪ wˈɛl dɪstɹˈɔɪ ɐ ðə hˈoʊl dˈæm/sentence
used to imply that even small or seemingly insignificant things can have a significant impact or cause great harm when they accumulate or are left unchecked
"Even the smallest force can cause great damage — an ant may well destroy a whole dam."
"A single overlooked vulnerability brought down the entire network — an ant may destroy a whole dam."
praise makes good men better and bad men worse/pɹˈeɪz mˌeɪks ɡˈʊd mˈɛn bˈɛɾɚ ænd bˈæd mˈɛn wˈɜːs/sentence
used to suggest that praise can encourage virtuous behavior in good people and reinforce negative behavior in bad people
"Praise affects good and bad people differently — praise makes good men better and bad men worse."
"Recognition motivated the strong performers but inflated the egos of the weaker ones — praise makes good men better and bad men worse."
like mistress, like maid/lˈaɪk mˈɪstɹəs lˈaɪk mˈeɪd/sentence
used to suggest that the behavior and attitudes of a leader or authority figure are reflected in their subordinates or followers
"Servants reflect their mistresses — like mistress, like maid."
"The assistant copied every one of her manager's bad habits — like mistress, like maid."
Learn all 14 words in this list with spaced repetition