Social Engagement: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that defined boundaries and respect for each other's privacy and property can help maintain positive relationships between people

"Clear boundaries make for peaceful relations — good fences make good neighbours."

"Clearly marking property lines and respecting privacy helps ensure that good fences make good neighbors."

used to suggest that having fewer individuals to cater for or fewer options to choose from can result in a better outcome or quality

"Fewer people means better sharing — the fewer, the better fare."

"The small team worked well and resources stretched further — the fewer, the better fare."

used to imply that if someone stays too long or visits too often, they may become a burden or annoyance to the host or the people around them

"A frequent visitor loses their welcome — a constant guest is never welcome."

"He stopped dropping in unannounced after noticing the cooler reception — a constant guest is never welcome."

used to advise guests not to stay too long in someone's home or company, as even the most enjoyable visit can become burdensome if continued for too long

"Guests and fish both go off after three days — fish and guests smell after three days."

"By the fourth day of the visit the hospitality was wearing thin — fish and guests smell after three days."

used to imply that adding a third person to a situation can make it uncomfortable or awkward, particularly when the two people are close friends or lovers

"A pair is perfect, three is too many — two is company, three is a crowd."

"The meeting became awkward when a third person joined the private conversation — two is company, three is a crowd."

used to suggest that it is difficult to truly understand someone's character through brief interactions, and that living or traveling with someone is necessary to truly understand them

"You only truly know someone by living with them — come live with me and you will know me."

"She had admired him from a distance, but come live with me and you will know me — the reality was very different."

used to imply that people with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other

"They spend all their time together — birds of a feather flock together."

"The new recruits quickly formed a tight group — birds of a feather flock together, as the manager noted."

used to imply that personal connections and relationships can be more important than one's knowledge or expertise, highlighting the importance of networking

"Connections matter more than qualifications — it is not what you know but who you know."

"She got the job through a friend, not her qualifications — it is not what you know but who you know."

used to imply that a good friend can provide honest and constructive feedback, helping one to see oneself more clearly and grow as an individual

"A true friend shows you your faults honestly — a friend's eye is a good mirror."

"She asked her closest colleague for honest feedback — a friend's eye is a good mirror."

used to advise maintaining personal relationships with family members and to conduct business with people who are not related to avoid any potential conflicts or complications

"Keep personal and professional relationships separate — eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers."

"She was warm with her family but kept finances entirely separate — eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers."