Explanations + Extra Activities
Here’s an easy explanation of the 10 American proverbs shown in the video:
1. Time is money.
⏳💰 Meaning: Time is valuable, just like money. If you waste time, you lose opportunities to make money or do important things.
✅ Example: Instead of watching TV all day, John decided to work on his business. “Time is money,” he said.
2. Go big or go home.
🏆🔥 Meaning: If you are going to do something, do it with full effort. Don’t do it halfway.
✅ Example: Lisa wanted to start a bakery. She didn’t just bake at home—she opened a big shop. “Go big or go home,” she thought.
3. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
🔧❌ Meaning: If something is working well, don’t try to change it. You might make it worse.
✅ Example: The old car still runs perfectly. “Why buy a new one?” said Mike. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
4. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
💵🌳 Meaning: Money is not easy to get. You have to work hard for it.
✅ Example: A boy asked his mom for an expensive toy. She said, “No, money doesn’t grow on trees!”
5. You win some, you lose some.
🎲🏆❌ Meaning: Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail. That’s life.
✅ Example: Sarah lost a tennis match but didn’t get upset. “You win some, you lose some,” she said.
6. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
🛞🛠️ Meaning: People who complain or ask for help get attention first.
✅ Example: Tom kept asking his boss for a promotion. Finally, he got it. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” he said.
7. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
🍽️💵 Meaning: Nothing is truly free. If someone gives you something, they usually expect something in return.
✅ Example: A bank offers a “free” credit card, but it has high fees. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” said Emma.
8. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
🐶📚 Meaning: It is hard for people to change their habits, especially older people.
✅ Example: Grandpa doesn’t want to use a smartphone. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” said Dad.
9. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
💪🔥 Meaning: Strong people don’t give up when things get hard. They work even harder.
✅ Example: After losing his job, Jake started his own company. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” he said.
10. If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
🐕🏃♂️ Meaning: If you can’t keep up with the best, don’t even try to compete.
✅ Example: The business world is tough. “If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch,” said the CEO.
Extra Practice!
20-Question Quiz: American Proverbs
Choose the best proverb for each situation.
1. Lisa just lost a big competition, but she stays positive. She says, “It’s okay, I’ll try again next time!”
A) Time is money.
B) You win some, you lose some.
C) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
2. Mike wants to start a business. Instead of starting small, he invests all his money to make it big.
A) Go big or go home.
B) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
C) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
3. A store is offering “free” phones, but you have to sign an expensive contract.
A) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
B) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
C) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
4. Sarah keeps asking her boss for a raise. After a month, he finally gives it to her.
A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
B) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
C) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
5. Kevin’s car is old, but it still works perfectly. His friend suggests buying a new one, but he refuses.
A) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
B) Time is money.
C) Go big or go home.
6. Jane’s son asks for a new bike, but she says no because it is too expensive.
A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
B) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
C) You win some, you lose some.
7. Paul lost his job, but instead of giving up, he starts his own business.
A) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
B) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
C) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
8. Grandpa refuses to learn how to use a smartphone because he is used to old ways.
A) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
B) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
C) Time is money.
9. James is playing a difficult video game and keeps losing. He says, “That’s life!”
A) You win some, you lose some.
B) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
C) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
10. A new worker is complaining about how hard the job is. The boss tells him, “Either work harder or leave!”
A) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
B) Time is money.
C) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
11. Alex’s dad tells him not to waste time because it’s important to be productive.
A) Time is money.
B) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
C) You win some, you lose some.
12. A company offers a “free” vacation, but later, they ask for a fee.
A) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
B) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
C) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
13. Steve never asks for help at work, so his boss never notices him.
A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
B) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
C) Time is money.
14. Jim’s football team is losing, but instead of giving up, they fight harder to win.
A) You win some, you lose some.
B) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
C) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
15. A teenager asks his parents for an expensive car, but they say, “We’re not rich!”
A) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
B) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
C) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
16. Maria doesn’t take shortcuts—she gives her 100% in everything she does.
A) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
B) Go big or go home.
C) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
17. Instead of complaining about a difficult situation, Ben takes action and finds a solution.
A) Time is money.
B) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
C) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
18. A man refuses to change his old way of doing things, even when new technology is better.
A) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
B) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
C) Go big or go home.
19. Tom’s boss doesn’t listen to him because he never speaks up about problems at work.
A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
B) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
C) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
20. A business meeting is taking too long, so Sarah says, “Let’s get to the point!”
A) Time is money.
B) Go big or go home.
C) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Answer Key:
- B) You win some, you lose some.
- A) Go big or go home.
- B) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
- A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
- A) If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- B) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- A) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
- B) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
- A) You win some, you lose some.
- A) If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
- A) Time is money.
- B) There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
- A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
- B) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
- A) Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- B) Go big or go home.
- B) When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
- A) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
- A) The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
- A) Time is money.