| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| you can thank your lucky stars |
you were lucky, be thankful you are safe
|
He can thank his lucky stars that a doctor was there. He nearly died.
|
| you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear |
you cannot improve the quality of junk; cannot make gold from iron
|
When Hal put a Mercedes star on his Ford, I said, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."
|
| you can't sell anybody if you don't love everybody |
you will be more successful if you have love in your heart
|
"So you're going into sales?" "Yes. Do you have any advice?" "Well, a saying from Beverly Hills Cop may be helpful in sales - or any occupation:
You can't sell anybody if you don't love everybody!"
|
| you can't teach an old dog new tricks |
old dogs and old people do not like to change or learn, die hard
|
Our senior employees don't like computer training - you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
|
| you can't tell a book by its cover |
the cover or surface does not reveal its contents, beauty is only skin deep
|
If you buy a car because it looks nice, remember this: you can't tell a book by its cover.
|
| you don't miss the water till the well runs dry |
you do not appreciate some things until they go away or become extinct
|
Now we have only memories of our song birds. You don't miss the water till the well runs dry.
|
| you don't say |
that is surprising, how about that
|
"We have ten kids," the man said. "You don't say!" my mom replied.
|
| you got it |
you have the answer, you are doing it right
|
"You got it, kid!" the coach said. "That's the way to score!"
|
| you had to be there |
to understand, you should have been there with me; it was funny then
|
When I said, "Goo!" everybody laughed and clapped. I guess you had to be there.
|
| you have to be good to be lucky |
people with ability cause their own good luck, prepare like crazy
|
Athletes don't wait for good luck. They try to improve, knowing you have to be good to be lucky.
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