Balance & Moderation Vocabulary Set in Situations & States: Full and Detailed List

The 'Balance & Moderation' vocabulary set in 'Situations & States' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

Learn this vocabulary set on Lingoland

Learn Now

a little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men

/ə ˈlɪtəl ˈnɑnsɛns naʊ ænd ðɛn ɪz ˈʧɛrɪʃt baɪ ðə ˈwaɪzəst mɛn/

Example:

Don't be so serious all the time; remember that a little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.

a little of what you fancy does you good

/ə ˈlɪt.əl əv wʌt juː ˈfæn.si dʌz juː ɡʊd/

Example:

I know I'm on a diet, but a little of what you fancy does you good.

better a little fire to warm us than a great one to burn us

/ˈbetər ə ˈlɪtəl ˈfaɪər tu wɔːrm ʌs ðæn ə ɡreɪt wʌn tu bɜːrn ʌs/

Example:

He chose a modest salary with job security, believing that better a little fire to warm us than a great one to burn us.

better late than never

/ˈbetər leɪt ðæn ˈnevər/

Example:

I know I'm a bit behind on my project, but better late than never, right?

eat at pleasure, drink with measure

/it æt ˈplɛʒər, drɪŋk wɪð ˈmɛʒər/

Example:

My grandfather always said, 'Eat at pleasure, drink with measure,' to explain his long life.

enough is as good as a feast

/ɪˈnʌf ɪz æz ɡʊd æz ə fiːst/

Example:

I don't need a second helping; enough is as good as a feast.

the half is greater than the whole

/ðə hæf ɪz ˈɡreɪtər ðæn ðə hoʊl/

Example:

By cutting the long speech in half, the message became much clearer; sometimes the half is greater than the whole.

honey in excess is no longer sweet

/ˈhʌn.i ɪn ɪkˈsɛs ɪz noʊ ˈlɔŋ.ɡər swiːt/

Example:

I love this song, but hearing it every hour makes me realize that honey in excess is no longer sweet.

it is the part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it

/ɪt ɪz ðə pɑːrt əv ə ɡʊd ˈʃɛpərd tuː ʃɪr hɪz flɑːk, nɑːt tuː skɪn ɪt/

Example:

The governor believed that it is the part of a good shepherd to shear his flock, not to skin it, so he lowered the tax rates.

keep no more cats than can catch mice

/kiːp noʊ mɔːr kæts ðæn kæn kætʃ maɪs/

Example:

We need to downsize the department; remember, keep no more cats than can catch mice.

there is measure in all things

/ðɛr ɪz ˈmɛʒər ɪn ɔl θɪŋz/

Example:

You shouldn't work too hard or play too hard; remember, there is measure in all things.

eat to live, don't live to eat

/it tu lɪv, doʊnt lɪv tu it/

Example:

My doctor reminded me to eat to live, don't live to eat to help manage my weight.

little and often fills the purse

/ˈlɪt.əl ænd ˈɔːf.ən fɪlz ðə pɜːrs/

Example:

I only save twenty dollars a week, but little and often fills the purse.

life is hard by the yard but a cinch by the inch

/laɪf ɪz hɑːrd baɪ ðə jɑːrd bʌt ə sɪntʃ baɪ ðə ɪntʃ/

Example:

Don't worry about the whole project; remember, life is hard by the yard but a cinch by the inch.

moderation in all things

/ˌmɑː.dəˈreɪ.ʃən ɪn ɑːl θɪŋz/

Example:

You can enjoy dessert occasionally; remember, moderation in all things.

meat and mass never hindered man

/miːt ænd mæs ˈnɛvər ˈhɪndərd mæn/

Example:

Don't skip your lunch to finish the report; remember, meat and mass never hindered man.

all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

/ɔːl wɜːrk ænd noʊ pleɪ meɪks dʒæk ə dʌl bɔɪ/

Example:

You should take a vacation; all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.