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QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
Answer these questions and find out just how many archaic English expressions you can interpret accurately! Illustration: Uttam Ghosh
'Don't cast your pearls before swine.'
'Doubt is the beginning, not the end of wisdom.'
'Let not the sun go down on your wrath.'
Do you know the meanings of these old English sayings?
In the following pages, we bring you a few more -- select the correct meaning of each to determine just how strong your command over the language is.
Answers are provided upon submission of results on each page and you can draw your own conclusions about your performance!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A cat in gloves catches no mice.
1) You can't achieve your goals if you're always restrained and cautious
2) Don't groom yourself so carefully that you can do nothing useful
3) If you're lazy and soft, nothing will become of you
The correct answer is You can't achieve your goals if you're always restrained and cautious
You can't achieve your goals if you're always careful and polite
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
1) If you're so vain as to wear a crown to bed, it's bound to poke you
2) Those in positions of power are usually liars
3) With power and prestige comes a lot of worry too
The correct answer is With power and prestige comes a lot of worry too
With power and prestige comes a lot of worry too
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Let the man who seeks revenge remember to dig two graves.
1) Be willing to die in order to achieve your goals
2) When you try to harm someone else, you harm yourself as well
3) Don't let anyone stop you from avenging yourself
The correct answer is When you try to harm someone else, you harm yourself as well
When you try to harm someone else, you harm yourself as well
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A hard beginning maketh a good ending.
1) The more effort you put in now, the more benefits you reap later on
2) Hard work strengthens your character
3) People like watching the tragic endings of others
The correct answer is The more effort you put in now, the more benefits you reap later on
The more effort you put in now, the more benefits you reap later on
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A goose quill is more dangerous than a lion's claw.
1) You may be small in stature but still lethal in persona
2) The written word is more powerful than brute strength
3) Use your brains and not your brawn
The correct answer is The written word is more powerful than brute strength
The written word is more powerful than brute strength
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A miss is as good as a mile.
1) A small goal is as valid as a big one
2) If you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure
3) It's better to keep trying than give up
The correct answer is If you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure
If you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
All roads lead to Rome.
1) All paths lead to the same goal
2) You can't steer the direction in which life takes you
3) Everyone is treading the same path
The correct answer is All paths lead to the same goal
All paths lead to the same goal
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
1) Look deeper into things to discover their true value
2) Just as different flowers are all alike, so are people
3) The name of something does not affect its true character
The correct answer is The name of something does not affect its true character
The name of something does not affect its true character
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.
1) Even the most evil individuals have a little good in them
2) An evil individual will masquerade as a good man to get what he wants
3) Nothing comes of mindless reading, even if it's a positive book
The correct answer is An evil individual will masquerade as a good man to get what he wants
An evil individual will masquerade as a good man to get what he wants
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A watched pot never boils.
1) The more you rely on something, the more it's likely to let you down
2) Some things happen on their own time, so it's better to be patient
3) Time is of the utmost relevance
The correct answer is Some things happen on their own time, so it's better to be patient
Some things happen on their own time, so it's better to be patient
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Cowards die many times before their deaths.
1) Fear is as bad as death; each time you give in to it, you lose a slice of life
2) The fearful avoid death by running away constantly
3) Don't shy away from anything, including death
The correct answer is Fear is as bad as death; each time you give in to it, you lose a slice of life
Fear is as bad as death; each time you give in to it, you lose a slice of life
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
All is grist that comes to the mill.
1) All things are a potential source of profit or advantage
2) All negative things are ultimately ground to dust
3) Focus on what comes your way
The correct answer is All things are a potential source of profit or advantage
All things are a potential source of profit or advantage
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
1) Be slow and steady instead of impatient and in a rush
2) Those who don't listen to the counsel of the wise are sinners
3) The rash or inexperienced often foolishly attempt things the wiser have reservations about
The correct answer is The rash or inexperienced often foolishly attempt things the wiser have reservations about
The rash or inexperienced often foolishly attempt things the wiser have reservations about
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
1) Don't pick fights with the gentle-natured
2) Don't criticise good things that come your way
3) Always try and stay focused on the bigger picture
The correct answer is Don't criticise good things that come your way
Don't criticise good things that come your way
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
The world's mine oyster..
1) The world is a small place if you want it to be
2) All the pleasures and opportunities of life are open to me
3) Don't be intimidated by the big things in life
The correct answer is All the pleasures and opportunities of life are open to me
All the pleasures and opportunities of life are open to me
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
A fault confessed is half redressed.
1) Confessing to a wrong works a great way towards rectifying it
2) Judge yourself instead of allowing others to judge you
3) Whatever mistake you make should be taken care of at the earliest
The correct answer is Confessing to a wrong works a great way towards rectifying it
Confessing to a wrong works a great way towards rectifying it
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Don't keep a dog and bark yourself.
1) Impressions are of the utmost importance
2) Don't stoop to lowering your standards
3) Don't delegate tasks to others and then perform them yourself
The correct answer is Don't delegate tasks to others and then perform them yoursel
Don't delegate tasks to others and then perform them yoursel
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Walnuts and pears you plant for your heirs.
1) Don't let your children rely on an inheritance
2) Think long-term and for the benefit of future generations
3) Live so that your memory impresses generations to come
The correct answer is Think long-term and for the benefit of future generations
Think long-term and for the benefit of future generations
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
Now is the winter of our discontent.
1) Bad times are coming to an end
2) Good times are coming to an end
3) Things have never been worse than now
The correct answer is Bad times are coming to an end
Bad times are coming to an end
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
What is the meaning of this old English saying?
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
1) Budget yourself according to your means
2) You can't make a good quality product out of inferior materials
3) Have realistic expectations
The correct answer is You can't make a good quality product out of inferior materials
You can't make a good quality product out of inferior materials
QUIZ: Figure out these old English sayings!
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