say·ing (s  ng)n. Something, such as an adage or maxim, that is said. Synonyms: saying, maxim, adage, saw2, motto, epigram, proverb, aphorism These nouns refer to concise verbal expressions setting forth wisdom or a truth. A saying is an often repeated and familiar expression: a collection of philosophical sayings. Maxim denotes particularly an expression of a general truth or a rule of conduct: "For a wise man, he seemed to me ... to be governed too much by general maxims" (Edmund Burke). Adage applies to a saying that has gained credit through long use: a gift that gave no credence to the adage, "Good things come in small packages." Saw often refers to a familiar saying that has become trite through frequent repetition: old saws that gave little comfort to the losing team. A motto expresses the aims, character, or guiding principles of a person, group, or institution: "Exuberance over taste" is my motto. An epigram is a witty expression, often paradoxical or satirical and neatly or brilliantly phrased: In his epigram Samuel Johnson called remarriage a "triumph of hope over experience." Proverb refers to an old and popular saying that illustrates something such as a basic truth or a practical precept: "Slow and steady wins the race" is a proverb to live by. Aphorism, denoting a concise expression of a truth or principle, implies depth of content and stylistic distinction: Few writers have coined more aphorisms than Benjamin Franklin. |
saying [ˈseɪɪŋ]n a maxim, adage, or proverb
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | saying - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression"Beatitude - one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed); "her favorite Beatitude is `Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth'" logion - a saying of Jesus that is regarded as authentic although it is not recorded in the Gospels advice and consent - a legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President's powers of appointment and treaty-making ambiguity - an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context euphemism - an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh dysphemism - an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one; "his favorite dysphemism was to ask for axle grease when he wanted butter" shucks - an expression of disappointment or irritation tongue twister - an expression that is difficult to articulate clearly; "`rubber baby buggy bumper' is a tongue twister" southernism - a locution or pronunciation peculiar to the southern United States axiom, maxim - a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits adage, byword, proverb, saw - a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people agrapha - sayings of Jesus not recorded in the canonical Gospels sumpsimus - a correct expression that takes the place of a popular but incorrect expression; "he preferred his erroneous but pleasing mumpsimus to the correct sumpsimus" |
sayingnoun proverb, maxim, adage, saw, slogan, gnome, dictum, axiom, aphorism, byword, apophthegm that old saying: 'Charity begins at home'go without saying be obvious, be understood, be taken for granted, be accepted, be self-evident, be taken as read, be a matter of course It should go without saying that you shouldn't smoke.
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