adage
gb/ˈædɪd͡ʒ/ us/ˈædɪd͡ʒ/
C1
English
közmondás
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
közmondás
B2
Usage pattern:
an adage; the adage that [clause]
My grandmother often repeated the adage that honesty is the best policy.
A nagymamám gyakran ismételgette azt a közmondást, hogy becsületesnek lenni a legjobb politika.
The failed launch proved the old adage that you only get one chance to make a first impression.
A sikertelen indítás bebizonyította a régi közmondást, hogy az első benyomásra csak egyetlen esélyed van.
As the adage suggests, a picture can be worth a thousand words.
Learner examples
The adage teaches us to be patient.
A közmondás türelemre tanít minket.
He quoted an old adage about hard work.
Egy régi, a kemény munkáról szóló közmondást idézett.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse adage with age; an adage is a saying, not a period of time.
Meaning
traditional wise saying
Collocations
old adage
|ancient adage
|familiar adage
|common adage
|popular adage
|well-known adage
|timeless adage
|oft-quoted adage
|the adage goes
|prove the adage
Synonyms
proverb (often traditional and moral or practical; very close in meaning)
|
saying (broader and more everyday; may be less traditional)
|
maxim (more formal; emphasizes a rule or principle for behavior)
|
aphorism (more literary; often clever, concise, and memorable)
Themes
language
|wisdom
|advice
|culture
Definition
a short traditional saying that gives advice or expresses a general truth
A short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth or piece of practical advice, especially one that has been repeated for a long time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
adage
IPA
GB/ˈædɪd͡ʒ/
US/ˈædɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
ad - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ad)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: adage
- Plural: adages
Expressions
as the old adage goes
1/ˈæz ðə ˈoʊld ˈædɪd͡ʒ ɡˈoʊz/
fixed phrase
introducing a familiar saying
used before or after a well-known saying
Examples
- As the old adage goes, measure twice and cut once.
- You should save some of your income because, as the old adage goes, a penny saved is a penny earned.
- As the old adage goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Learner examples
- As the old adage goes, practice makes perfect.
- As the old adage goes, time is money.