9 English Idioms For Giving Advice and Warning

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  • Post last modified:13/12/2023
  • Post category:English Idioms
  • Reading time:9 mins read

Here you will learn 9 English idioms for giving advice and warning. 

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, actions speak louder than words

Learning idioms will help you sound more native and improve your confidence when speaking English.

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English idioms for giving advice and warning

Learn 9 English Idioms for Giving Advice and Warnings. Advanced English learning. Improve English from intermediate to advanced level. Advanced English lessons online at www.englishlessonviaskype.com #learnenglish #englishlessons

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Hi there. This is Harry. And welcome to my English learning podcast Speak Better English where I try to help you to get a better understanding of the English language.  So you will be able to communicate in English in a better and more professional way.

So what do I have for you now? We’re going to take a look at English idioms for giving advice and warnings. Often they’re very similar.

The first one is about chewing

don’t bite off more than you can chew

Meaning:  we use it when we want to tell somebody just to take it easy, don’t take on more work than you can physically handle, don’t be overly ambitious

Example:

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Take a moment to prepare a schedule that makes you feel productive and take one step at a time.

don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Meaning:  don’t get ahead of yourself; don’t count on something that hasn’t actually happened yet

Example:

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Wait until you get the confirmation by email because many things can happen before the contract is signed.

English idioms for giving advice and warning

Learn 9 English Idioms for Giving Advice and Warnings. Advanced English learning. Improve English from intermediate to advanced level. Advanced English lessons online at www.englishlessonviaskype.com #learnenglish #englishlessons

Share and help other students to improve English language skills.

English idioms for giving advice and warning

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: to be happy with what you have rather than to be overly ambitious and you end up with nothing

Example:

You shouldn’t quit your current job unless you’ve got a firm offer. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

actions speak louder than words

Meaning: what you do is more significant than what you say; don’t just say something, do something

Example:

Don’t forget to switch the light off. Even simple actions help the environment. Remember, actions speak louder than words. 

English idioms for giving advice and warning

a blessing in disguise

Meaning: something that seems negative at first that eventually turns out to be positive

Example:

I’m glad that my father persuaded me not to change my course, it was a blessing in disguise.

blessing in disguise English idiom meaning

blessing in disguise meaning - video lesson

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English idioms for giving advice and warning

add insult to injury

Or we can say, don’t add insult to injury

Meaning: to make matters worse; literally not only you’re injured but someone also insults you

Examples:

I bought a new expensive phone last week but it doesn’t work. What adds insult to injury is that my old one is still working perfectly.

Ending the season with a 16-point loss to the worst team in the league really adds insult to injury.

a penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning: it’s just as important to save money as it is to earn money

Example:

I don’t need to waste my time or money. I just wait for a better opportunity. A penny saved is a penny earned. 

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English idioms for giving advice and warning

asleep at the wheel

Meaning: to fail to perform your duties and responsibilities; not paying attention to something really important

Example:

Their legal team was asleep at the wheel and didn’t read the fine print.

Rome wasn’t built in a day

Meaning: be patient; it takes time to accomplish a complex task or create something great

Example:

A little bit of persistence can go a long way. Don’t forget that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Here is my list of English idioms about advice and warning:

  • don’t bite off more than you can chew
  • don’t count your chickens before they hatch
  • a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
  • actions speak louder than words
  • a blessing in disguise
  • add insult to injury
  • a penny saved is a penny earned
  • asleep at the wheel
  • Rome wasn’t built in a day

And as always, I appreciate your listening. If you want to contact me, then you can do so at www.englishlessonviaskype.com. Stay alert, and I’ll talk to you again soon.

More information

For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:

Common phrasal verbs with UP

16 Ways to say Angry or Annoyed in English

Don’t forget to check out intermediate and advanced English lessons at Learning English with the BBC.

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