This unique and authoritative dictionary contains over 1,100 of the most widely used proverbs in English, utilizing the latest research from the Oxford Languages team to source them. This edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, broadening the cultural range of the proverbs selected, and covering sayings of international origins. With a strong emphasis on concisely explaining the meaning of the proverbs described, the dictionary also provides additional examples of usage, and includes a fascinating history for many entries. Arranged in A-Z order and with a useful thematic index, A Dictionary of Proverbs is ideal for browsing and perfectly suited for quick reference. Look up your old favourites, learn punchy new expressions to get your point across, and find the answer to that crossword clue. It is never too late to learn: find proverbs relevant to every aspect of life in this entertaining and informative collection.

Editor's Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
Dictionary
Bibliography
Thematic Index

Edited by Jennifer Speake

Jennifer Speake is a freelance writer. She was the editor of the first editions of The Oxford Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases (1997) and The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (1999).

`brilliantly arranged . . . I recommend it without hesitation to all students of the English language and lovers of literature, as well as to pedants, crossword fanatics and those who like to prove people wrong in argument.' Auberon Waugh, Sunday Telegraph

`much pleasure, earthy or erudite, and sometimes both, lies here in store' Richard Holmes, The Times