Idioms enrich our language, providing colorful expressions that often carry meanings not directly deduced from the individual words. This post explores ten common idioms starting with the word “don’t,” offering brief explanations and example sentences for each.
Idioms Starting with “DON’T”
1. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning: Don’t assume success before it actually happens.
Example: He’s planning what he’ll do with his sales bonus, but I told him, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
2. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t waste time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: I know you didn’t win the contest, but don’t cry over spilled milk. There’s always next time.
3. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: Don’t act against those on whom you depend or who support you.
Example: He criticized his team publicly, but really, he shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds him.
4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Don’t risk everything on the success of one venture.
Example: Diversify your investments; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
5. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater
Meaning: Don’t discard something valuable along with other things that are undesirable.
Example: When updating the software, make sure we don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater by losing key features.
6. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Meaning: Don’t form an opinion about something based on its appearance alone.
Example: He looks rough around the edges, but don’t judge a book by its cover; he’s actually a brilliant thinker.
7. Don’t rock the boat
Meaning: Don’t do anything to cause trouble or upset a stable situation.
Example: Things are going well here; let’s not rock the boat by changing the procedures now.
8. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning: Do not be critical of a gift or favor, especially if it was given freely.
Example: Even if it’s not exactly what you wanted, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
9. Don’t beat around the bush
Meaning: Don’t avoid the main topic; don’t speak indirectly.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me exactly how much it will cost.
10. Don’t burn your bridges
Meaning: Don’t act in a way that destroys one’s relationship with someone or something.
Example: She might be leaving the job, but I advised her not to burn her bridges with her old employer.
