Possibility & Impossibility: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that while one can provide someone with an opportunity, one cannot force them to take advantage of it, as ultimately people must make their own choices and decisions

"You can offer help but not force someone to use it — you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink."

"The training was available to everyone, but engagement was low — you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink."

used to imply that when a situation has reached a certain extreme or chaotic state, it cannot become any worse or more aggravated

"There is nothing worse than black or more bitter than salt — above black there is no colour, and above salt there is no savor."

"The scandal had already destroyed the company's reputation — above black there is no colour, and above salt there is no savor."

used to imply that regardless of how intelligent or wise a person may appear, everyone is capable of making mistakes or acting in a foolish manner at times

"Everyone does foolish things sometimes — every man has a fool in his sleeve."

"Even the most experienced executive made a rash decision under pressure — every man has a fool in his sleeve."

used to suggest that even those considered foolish may occasionally have valuable insights or solutions to offer

"Even unwise people can give good advice — fools may sometimes speak to the purpose."

"The junior analyst raised a concern the entire team had missed — fools may sometimes speak to the point."

used to suggest that if people were given a second chance to do something, they would likely make better decisions, emphasizing the importance of learning from one's mistakes

"We always know better after the fact — if things were to be done twice, all would be wise."

"In hindsight every decision seemed obvious — if things were to be done twice, all would be wise."

used to imply that if someone has accomplished something in the past, then it is possible for others to achieve the same thing, encouraging people to pursue their goals with determination

"What man has done, man may do."

"The teacher reminded us that what man has done, man may do, so we should never give up on our dreams."

used to express the idea that a highly unlikely event or occurrence is not likely to happen again in the same place or to the same person

"Bad things rarely hit the same place twice — lightning never strikes the same place twice."

"After winning the lottery twice, he joked that lightning never strikes the same place twice, but it clearly had."

used to suggest that something or someone that appears unpromising or unremarkable at first may have the potential to become successful or valuable in the future

"A rough start does not mean a bad outcome — a ragged colt may make a good horse."

"She struggled in her first year but became the top performer — a ragged colt may make a good horse."

used to imply that someone or something cannot surpass their own limitations, such as their own abilities, resources, or environment

"You can only give what you have — a stream cannot rise above its source."

"The quality of the output was limited by the quality of the input — a stream cannot rise above its source."

used to imply that power and influence can be fleeting, as even the weak or small can have power over the strong or mighty when they are in a vulnerable state

"The weak can challenge the strong when times change — hares may pull dead lions by the beard."

"With the giant corporation weakened by scandal, smaller rivals moved boldly — hares may pull dead lions by the beard."

used to emphasize the idea that people should not rely on miraculous or supernatural intervention to solve their problems but should instead work toward practical solutions

"Do not expect miracles — the age of miracles is past."

"The board was warned not to expect a dramatic turnaround overnight — the age of miracles is long past."

used to suggest that if something appears too beneficial or advantageous, it is likely false or deceptive, urging people to be cautious and use critical thinking skills to evaluate such claims

"If it sounds too good, be careful — if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

"The investment promised guaranteed returns with no risk — if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

used to suggest that there are inherent boundaries or limitations that prevent certain things from happening

"People can always meet — men may meet but mountains never."

"The two warring nations finally signed a peace treaty, proving that men may meet but mountains never."

used to imply that it is not worth being upset or anxious about losing something that never existed, emphasizing the importance of focusing on reality

"You cannot lose what you never had."

"He was upset about missing the opportunity, but she reminded him — you cannot lose what you never had."

used to imply that dividing attention, loyalty, or effort between conflicting interests or allegiances will lead to a lack of commitment and failure or poor performance in all of them

"You cannot serve two masters."

"He realized that he cannot serve two masters when he tried to work two full-time jobs at the same time."

used to imply that it is impossible to fit too much into a small space, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting the limitations of a situation

"Too much stuff, pint pot."

"Trying to fit all these books into this small bag is like trying to get a quart into a pint pot."

used to imply that trying to make everyone happy is impossible, emphasizing that it is important to be true to oneself rather than constantly seeking others' approval

"You cannot please everyone."

"Make your own decisions; you cannot please everybody all the time."

used to emphasize that simply wishing for something is not enough to attain it, and that people must work hard and take action to achieve their goals

"Wanting something does not make it happen — if wishes were horses, beggars would ride."

"The team had grand ambitions but no resources — if wishes were horses, the beggars would ride."

used to suggest that in order to function well or be successful, one needs to have the necessary resources, such as knowledge, experience, skills, or material possessions

"You cannot do much when you have nothing — an empty sack cannot stand upright."

"The organisation had no funding, no staff, and no direction — an empty sack will not stand upright."

used to imply that when a situation has reached a certain extreme or chaotic state, it cannot become any worse or more aggravated

"Above black there is no color."

"After enduring years of hardship, he felt that above black there is no color, his emotional reserves completely depleted."

used to suggest that in order to function well or be successful, one needs to have the necessary resources, such as knowledge, experience, skills, or material possessions

"An empty sack cannot stand upright."

"An empty sack cannot stand upright; thus, the student realized they needed to study diligently to gain the knowledge required for success."