35 idioms, axioms, and proverbs to chew on

Proverbs, idioms, and axioms can spice up your writing (and make conversations more interesting). But what are they? Here’s a quick refresher:

• An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not predictable from its constituent elements (as in “kick the bucket”);
• A proverb is a popular saying, usually of an unknown or ancient origin (such as, “a friend in need is a friend indeed”);
• An axiom is a self-evident truth that requires no proof (for example, “blood is thicker than water”).

For me, writing blog posts is a great way to blow off some steam, while networking events are a great place to chew the fat; both provide opportunities to use proverbs, idioms, and axioms. The reason these sayings sound familiar to you is because you’ve heard or read them over and over throughout your life. You know the context, but not the origin. You swear you’re never going to talk like that when you grow up, and then one day you whip out a saying your grandparents used to use.

No? You will someday.

Here are some of the more common expressions I can recall off the top of my head. I thought it would make a fun post to share some of these—maybe it will jog an idea for your next writing project.