Means & Solutions: English Vocabulary List

to be forced to do a difficult or impossible task without the necessary resources

"You cannot make bricks without straw."

"Expecting us to finish the project without enough resources is like making bricks without straw impossible."

used to emphasize that if a person is determined enough to do something, they will find a way to do it, regardless of the obstacles or challenges

"It is hard, but where there is a will, there is a way."

"With no funding and no team, she built the product from scratch — where there is a will, there is a way."

used to suggest that not taking action to solve a problem is equivalent to contributing to it

"If you do not help solve a problem, you are making it worse — if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

"The manager warned the staff that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

used to imply that sometimes a quick solution to a problem may seem effective, but it can actually cause more harm than good

"Quick fixes can backfire."

"The imperfect fix was better than no fix at all — dirty water will quench any fire."

used to imply that a solution or resource that is far away or inaccessible cannot address an immediate need or problem, emphasizing the need for practical and immediate solutions

"A solution far away is no use right now — distant water will not quench your immediate thirst."

"The long-term strategy was promising, but distant water will not quench your immediate thirst — they needed results now."

used to suggest that sometimes it is best to say as little as possible about a problem or conflict in order to avoid making it worse

"The less you say about a problem, the faster it heals — least said, soonest mended."

"To avoid more tension, they stayed quiet about the issue — least said, soonest mended."

used to suggest that simply being concerned or worried about a problem or situation is not enough to solve it

"Worrying does not fix anything — care is no cure."

"He was anxious about the outcome all week, but care is no cure — only action would help."

used to imply that when one finds oneself in a difficult situation, it is important to stop doing things that are making it worse and instead focus on finding a solution

"Stop digging when you are in trouble."

"When you are in a hole, stop digging and ask someone for help."