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Тask1. Read and translate the meaning of the proverbs using the vocabulary.

Explanatory notes:

1. A watched pot never boils  (or: a watched pot is long   in   boiling):   time   hangs   heavy   on   one's   hands during the period of waiting or expectation

Example I said to myself, «A watched pot never boils»; if I don't look for her she will come (J. Galsworthy)

2. Better late than never: it is better to arrive late than never to arrive at all, or be late in the performance of something necessary or advisable rather than never do it. Compare: Лучше поздно, чем никогда.

3. Don't cross the bridges before you come to them (or: don't cross the bridge till you get to it): do not  trouble yourself about future problems and difficulties, but wait till they have to be faced.

Example “You know I get desperately frightened, sometimes,” said Aileen. "Father might be watching us, you know. I've often wondered what I'd do if he caught us. I couldn't lie out of this, could I?"

"You certainly couldn't," said Cowper wood, "but you might as well not cross that bridge until you come to it," he continued. (Th. Dreiser)

4. Every cloud has a silver lining: nothing is wholly dark or full of unmixed sorrow or gloom; there is some good in every evil; a misfortune may turn into a benefit.

Example. “O, society!" said Kate,” society, in the sense you mean, and I have only a bowing acquaintance. Every cloud has a silver lining; and that is one advantage of being insignificant, ─ that you're not in much terror of Mrs. Qrundy." (R. Broughton)

5. Half a loaf is better than no bread: if it is impossible to have (receive, gain) exactly what one wants, it is better to have a substitute, however poor it may be, than nothing at all.

Example:  We must live somehow, and half a loaf is better than no bread. (Ch. Kingsley)

6. In for a penny, in for a pound: as soon as one has entered into the engagement, one must go through with it at all costs.

Example. "She has not been here since Monday?"

"I believe not."

"Then you have been there?"

"Yes."

"What day?"

He hesitates. Shall he make a clean breast of it? .Yes: 'in for a penny, in for a  pound.

"I've been there five days," replies he slowly, and looking down. (R. Broughton)

 Task 2. Complete the following proverbs.

 1) Every cloud .........................

 2)  ........................ than never.

 3)   Don't   cross ........................ you   get   to   it.

 4) Half a loaf ....................

 5) ........................ in for a pound.

Тask 3. Find English equivalents to the Russian proverbs below.

На безрыбье и рак рыба.

Назвался груздем ─ полезай в кузов;

Взялся за гуж ─ не говори, что не дюж.

Нет худа без добра.

Лучше поздно, чем никогда

Не стоит беспокоиться раньше времени.

 Task 4.  In the following passages find proverbs, or parts of proverbs, explain their meaning in English.

1)  Every cloud has its silver lining but it is sometimes a little difficult to get it to the mint. (B. Stevenson)

2)  The first time he was found there by the newspapers didn’t matter because you're crazy enough to do anything, but now it would be the final straw to break the back of this whole ridiculous situation (J. Aldridge)

3)  Hugo felt that he was about to swoon, that he had suffered just as much as a mart, could suffer, and that Fate was dropping the last straw on the camel's back. (A. Bennett)

4)  "Tomorrow seemed such a long time off, that I thought I must know the worst or the best before the sun came up again. I don't quite know which it is now; which is it, Esther?" ─ "It's neither the one nor the other; it's the second best," she answers, all smiles again, at seeing some prospect of her admirer's departure. "It is that I really am very much obliged, though, all the same I wish you would think better of it and that I'll try." So with this half-loaf he goes. (R. Broughton)

5) The Spaniard seemed to catch sight of the bottle. "I'm so thirsty, do you mind if I have a glass of champagne?" Julia was silent for a fraction of a second. It was his champagne and his compartment. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound. "Of course not." He poured himself a glass, lit a cigarette and sat down on the edge of her bed. (W. S. Maugham)

Task 5.  Use appropriate proverbs to fill in the blanks.

1) The fact that almost immediately John found a better job than the one he lost is further proof of the saying that.........................  (H. Whitford,   R, J. Dixson)

Task 6. Find phraseological  units and  state what proverbs  they  originate from.

1) Lancashire   has seen  its   export   markets   whittled  away over the past years often by what seemed in one   way or another   unfair   practices.  To be attacked in the   home market, which now absorbs 75 per cent of Lanca-     shire's output, is the last straw.  (W. J. Ball)

2)  There's   a silver lining Through the dark clouds shining, Turn   the dark cloud inside out, Till the boys come home. (B. Stevenson)

3) The   rental   increases were the final   straw   in   a   whole accumulation   of   pyramiding   living   costs. (National Affairs)

4)  Marjorie Ferrar was, indeed,   of those who can always get money at a pinch, but even   to such come moments when they have seriously to consider what kind of pinch. In proportion to her age and   sex,   she was   "dipped"   as   badly as her father and the withdrawal of her allowance was in the nature of a last straw. (J. 'Galsworthy)

5) Poor old fellow! I would have done a good   deal  to  save him from it. I think the last straw was when she began to finger the things ─ Bill' spoor little possessions ─ and to imply that his death was quite   as    great  a  blow   to   her    as   to   the old  man.     (R. Broughton)