Learn
Watch & LearnLearning Paths
Daily EnglishSocial EnglishProfessional EnglishVOA English
Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Explore sayings about persistence, timing, careful choices, and starting at the beginning.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode gathers short sayings shared by listeners in several countries. This guide focuses on four that offer different kinds of advice: keep working toward a goal, begin with a first step, think before acting, and notice when an opportunity is timely. Proverbs express viewpoints rather than universal rules, and the best choice depends on the situation.
Cultural note: The VOA page corrects an earlier use of the wrong pronoun for one listener; that correction is acknowledged by the source and is not reproduced as lesson content. Proverbs travel across languages and cultures, and similar wording can carry different assumptions. Treat each saying as one person’s perspective, not a rule for everyone.
Keep exploringSome sayings encourage persistence while others recommend pausing or acting quickly. Which advice fits depends on what is at stake.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Encouraging sayings about continuing toward a goal and beginning with the basics.
Meaning
If someone is determined to reach a goal, they may find a way to overcome obstacles.
Tone & use
An encouraging proverb, but it can oversimplify real barriers. Use it to express hope, not to blame someone facing circumstances beyond their control.
Example
“The community center had little space, but the volunteers found a way to run the class outdoors—where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Meaning
A person usually has to start with basic steps before reaching a higher level.
Tone & use
A traditional, somewhat formal-sounding proverb. It can encourage patience, but should not be used to dismiss someone’s experience or qualifications.
Example
“She started by learning the booking system before managing the whole program; you have to begin at the bottom of the ladder.”
Advice about choosing the right moment and thinking before acting.
Meaning
Consider a choice carefully before taking action.
Tone & use
A compact piece of advice, especially for decisions that could have consequences. It recommends reflection, not endless hesitation.
Example
“Before sending an angry reply, he remembered to think twice and act wisely, then rewrote it in a calmer tone.”
Meaning
Avoiding every risk can also mean missing important possibilities or outcomes.
Tone & use
A motivational saying, not a literal law or a reason to take unsafe chances. Consider the size and consequences of a risk before acting.
Example
“The founder tested the idea with a small pilot rather than investing all the savings at once; taking a measured risk felt better than standing still.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
1 of 3
