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Miche Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
Proverb for "lack amid plenty"?
Hello,
I need an English proverb for what my dictionary says is "to lack amid plenty". I googled for this phrase and I only found it on non-English sites, so I have my doubts. What I'm looking for is a proverb used to say that somebody has a lot but still feels deficiency (probably because they are stupid or do not use what they have wisely). The proverb in my native language is (word-for-word translation) "to wade in water and to stay thirsty".
I would much appreciate your help!
I need an English proverb for what my dictionary says is "to lack amid plenty". I googled for this phrase and I only found it on non-English sites, so I have my doubts. What I'm looking for is a proverb used to say that somebody has a lot but still feels deficiency (probably because they are stupid or do not use what they have wisely). The proverb in my native language is (word-for-word translation) "to wade in water and to stay thirsty".
I would much appreciate your help!
Top answer
Hi, The only thing I can think of is 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence', meaning you always think what the other person has is better, even if it's the same as what you have. It's not really what you want, but it's the best I can do. Clive
- Hi, The only thing I can think of is 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence', meaning you always think what the other person has is better, even if it's the same as what you have.
- It's not really what you want, but it's the best I can do.
- Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,
The only thing I can think of is 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence', meaning you always think what the other person has is better, even if it's the same as what you have. It's not really what you want, but it's the best I can do.
Clive
The only thing I can think of is 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence', meaning you always think what the other person has is better, even if it's the same as what you have. It's not really what you want, but it's the best I can do.
Clive
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This is somewhat like the Swedish expression "to cross the creek to fetch water", but nothing really native to English comes to mind.
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Thank you both, Clive and CalifJim!
Though there is obviously no exact English equivalent your suggestions gave me some ideas how to put it in English.
Don't you think it's curious how the proverbs nations have reveal so much about their characters?
Though there is obviously no exact English equivalent your suggestions gave me some ideas how to put it in English.
Don't you think it's curious how the proverbs nations have reveal so much about their characters?
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And then there's the Coleridge line:
Water, water everywhere
Nor any drop to drink.
Water, water everywhere
Nor any drop to drink.
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