Like nursery rhymes, wise old sayings have been ingrained into the minds of many, the elderly and our own generation as well. Parents today use the same sayings with their children so, whether eight or eighty, we all know these.
Facilitate this activity by stating the first half of a saying…”If the shoe fits……”, then hesitate and wait for a participant to complete the sentence. Ask the group if anyone else remembers hearing that statement as they were growing up or even recently.
If you have a particularly quick individual in the group who responds first to all queries, you might want to go around the table, taking turns with participants to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
When using these wise old sayings as an activity, inform your participants that you will be giving the first part of a familiar saying and they are to complete it by stating the last part. Take turns with your players so each has a fair opportunity to participate. If the player in turn is having difficulty, give a clue before moving on to the next player for help. Talk about what they mean.
The list below, is also available by clicking to download additional sentences, for printing.
Look on the — bright side.
The darkest hours are — just before the dawn.
When at the end of your rope — tie a knot and hang on.
All’s well that — ends well.
Even a fish wouldn’t get in trouble if it — kept its mouth shut.
Everything in — moderation.
Health is better than — wealth.
Absence makes — the heart grow fonder.
Every cloud has — a silver lining.
A drowning man will clutch at — straws.
Love me — love my dog.
Two heads are — better than one.
Out of sight — out of mind.
Life is what — you make it.
Money can’t — buy happiness.
Live and — let live.
Woman’s work is — never done.
The apple never falls — far from the tree.
One rotten apple — spoils the barrel.
A leopard can’t — change its spots.
You don’t get something — for nothing.
Don’t leave until tomorrow — what you can do today.
Cleanliness is — next to godliness.
If you’re going to do something — do it right.
Actions speak — louder than words.
Never turn down — a free meal.
Do not look a gift horse — in the mouth.
Blood is — thicker than water.
Can’t never — could.
Lie down with dogs — rise up with fleas.
You can lead a horse to water — but you can’t make him drink.
You can’t make a silk purse — from a sow’s ear.
If you’re not going to do a good job — don’t do it at all.
Too many cooks — spoil the broth.
You made your bed — now lie in it.
Birds of a feather — flock together.
Patience is — a virtue.
If wishes were horses — beggars would ride.
It comes straight from — the horses’ mouth.
If you can’t say something nice — say nothing at all.
Never go to bed — angry.
You can catch more flies — with honey than vinegar.
Whistling girls and crowing hens are bound to come — to no good ends.
Some things are better — left unsaid.
Live every day as if — it were your last.
No man is an — island unto himself.
Look before — you leap.
Think before — you speak.
It is better to light a candle — than to curse the darkness.
Never put new wine — into old skins (bottles).
Honesty is the — best policy.
Behind every successful man — stands a good woman.
We are who — we choose to be.
You get — what you — pay for.
God grant me the serenity to accept — the things — I cannot change.
An apple a day — keeps the doctor away.
Measure twice — cut once.
Never make the same mistake — twice.
A penny saved is — a penny earned.
The early bird — gets the worm.
Don’t bite — the hand that feeds you.
Better late than — never.
Early to bed, early to rise — makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
A bird in the hand is worth — two in the bush.
It’s too late to shut the barn door — after the horse is gone.
Tis’ better to have loved and lost than — never to have loved at all.
Spare the rod — spoil the child.
You can’t have the roses without — the thorns.
Every cloud has — a silver lining.
When God closes a window He — opens a door.
Make hay while — the sun shines.
Cleanliness is next to — godliness.
Easy come — easy go.
Put your money — where — your mouth is.
When it rains — it pours.
It takes money — to make money.
Out of the frying pan — into the fire.
Don’t cry over — spilled milk.
Never put all your eggs — in one basket.
A good dog is — man’s — best friend.
Never put the cart — before — the horse.
Curiosity — killed — the cat.