en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "Waste not, want not"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 25/10/2024, 08:06
English.me team member

What does it mean?

Waste not, want not

The phrase "Waste not, want not" means that if you do not waste resources and use them wisely, you will not lack them in the future.

Tone

Advisory

Origin

In 1721, it was recorded as "Willful waste makes woeful want," capturing the same sentiment. By August 10, 1772, in a letter to Alexander Clark, John Wesley expressed the idea in a form resembling today's version: "He will waste nothing; but he must want nothing." Over time, the phrase simplified to the contemporary form we use today.

Examples of usage

  • By using leftovers in creative recipes, she lived by the motto "Waste not, want not".
  • He always fixed his old gadgets instead of throwing them away, believing firmly in "Waste not, want not".

Recommended posts in Phrases

Everyone has their price

Everyone has their price

The phrase means that every person can be persuaded to ... Learn more →

You are never too old to learn

You are never too old to learn

The phrase means that one can always gain new knowledge ... Learn more →

Misery loves company

Misery loves company

The phrase "Misery loves company" means that people who are ... Learn more →

To the victor go the spoils

To the victor go the spoils

The phrase "To the victor go the spoils" means that ... Learn more →