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Farm Theme Page
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Farm Adages
More on Adages

An adage (also called a proverb) is an old, short saying that is generally accepted to have some truth to it (although there are many contradictory adages). Many adages have to do with farming and farm animals.

Some common farm adages and expressions are:
  • Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
    (Meaning: Do not count on something before it happens.)
  • Don't cast your pearls before swine (pigs).
    (Meaning: Do not offer something of great value to someone who cannot appreciate it.)
  • Make hay while the sun shines.
    (Meaning: Do something while you can, the opportunity may be gone later.)
  • Barking dogs seldom bite.
    (Meaning: People who talk the most often do the least.)
  • Do not let the foxes guard the henhouse.
    (Meaning: Do not give a job to someone who will exploit it.)
  • Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.
    (Meaning: If someone gives you something, do not examine it closely for faults. People look at a horse's teeth to determine its age.)
  • Do not try to teach a pig to sing.
    (Meaning: Trying to do the impossible is a waste of time.)
  • As scarce as hen's teeth.
    (Meaning: Nonexistent or very, very rare, since hen do not have teeth.)
  • Separate the wheat from the chaff.
    (Meaning: Distinguish between the valuable and the worthless.)
  • Hold your horses.
    (Meaning: Slow down or calm down.)
  • You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
    (Meaning: You can not make a person do something if they are unwilling.)
  • As you sow, so shall you reap.
    (Meaning: You get what you deserve.)
  • You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
    (Meaning: You can't turn a valueless object into a valuable one.)
  • The black sheep of the family.
    (Meaning: The odd person in the family.)
  • In a pig's eye.
    (Meaning: It is not likely.)
  • A needle in a haystack.
    (Meaning: It is hard to find.)
Related Activities:
cloze activity
Adages Cloze #1
(Fill-in-the-Blanks Quiz)

Fill in the blanks for 15 common sayings. Answers

cloze activity
Adages Cloze #2
(Fill-in-the-Blanks Quiz)

Fill in the blanks for 15 common sayings. Answers

cloze activity
Adages Cloze #3
(Fill-in-the-Blanks Quiz)

Fill in the blanks for 15 common sayings. Answers

cloze activity
Adages Cloze #4
(Fill-in-the-Blanks Quiz)

Fill in the blanks for 15 common sayings. Answers

Tool code

Sleeping Adage Alphabet Code

Use the alphabet code to find the sleeping adage. Answer: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
Tool code

Workmanship Adage Alphabet Code

Use the alphabet code to find the secret message. Answer: "Measure twice, cut once."


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