saying
B1Common in everyday speech and informal writing; also appears in semi-formal contexts when discussing culture or wisdom.
Definition
Meaning
A short, well-known phrase or statement that expresses a truth, wisdom, or observation about life.
Often implies folk wisdom or traditional knowledge passed down through generations; can also refer to the act of expressing something in words.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can be synonymous with 'proverb' or 'adage', but is the most general, neutral term. A 'saying' can be less formal and more colloquial than a 'proverb'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. However, references to culturally specific sayings will differ (e.g., British sayings about 'queues' vs. American sayings about 'lines').
Connotations
Slightly more associated with homespun, everyday wisdom in American use, while British use can occasionally carry a faint, archaic tone (e.g., 'as the old saying goes').
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There's an old saying that...As the saying goes, ...It's just a saying.He was fond of quoting sayings.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As the saying goes...”
- “It goes without saying (that)...”
- “Actions speak louder than words (example of a saying).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to succinctly convey conventional wisdom, e.g., 'As the saying goes, time is money.'
Academic
Appears in anthropology, linguistics, or cultural studies when analyzing folk wisdom.
Everyday
Extremely common for sharing advice or observations, e.g., 'You know what they say, better late than never.'
Technical
Rare; would only appear in meta-discussion about language itself.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- My grandmother had a saying for every situation.
- That's just a saying, not a strict rule.
- The old saying about rain on your wedding day is considered bad luck.
American English
- You know the saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
- He ended his speech with a famous saying from Mark Twain.
- Is 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' a scientifically proven saying?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Practice makes perfect' is a good saying.
- My teacher knows many old sayings.
- As the saying goes, don't count your chickens before they hatch.
- There's a local saying about the weather in this region.
- The author deftly wove traditional sayings into the dialogue to give it an authentic feel.
- While the saying suggests that opposites attract, psychological studies often show otherwise.
- Her thesis examined the permeability of cultural boundaries through the migration and adaptation of common sayings.
- He dismissed the argument as being reliant on clichéd sayings rather than empirical evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A SAYING is something people SAY repeatedly. It's SAID so often it becomes a piece of common wisdom.
Conceptual Metaphor
WISDOM IS A PACKAGED OBJECT (passed down), TRUTH IS A SOUND (that echoes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сказка' (fairy tale). The closer equivalent is 'пословица' or 'поговорка'.
- The phrase 'it goes without saying' is an idiom meaning 'очевидно' or 'само собой разумеется', not a literal statement about speech.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'saying' to mean 'tale' or 'story'.
- Incorrect: 'He told me a long saying about his childhood.' (Correct: 'story' or 'anecdote').
- Confusing the gerund/noun 'saying' with the present participle 'saying' in a verb phrase.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of a 'saying'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'proverb' is a type of saying that is specifically short, well-known, and expresses a truth or advice. 'Saying' is a broader, more general term that can include proverbs, adages, maxims, and even common phrases.
Yes, 'saying' is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to say' (e.g., 'He is saying something'). However, as a standalone dictionary entry, 'saying' is a noun referring to the short, wise statement.
It is an idiom (a fixed expression) that itself refers to the concept of a saying. It means 'this is so obvious it doesn't need to be stated as a piece of common wisdom.'
Use it to introduce a well-known proverb or adage. It signals that you are quoting traditional wisdom, not necessarily stating your own original idea. Example: 'As the saying goes, all's fair in love and war.'