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saw

saw

5 6.4
A short memorable saying that gives common advice
  • noun
  • /sɔ/
translation icon : dicho
  • An old saw has it that no one profits from talking about politics or religion.
  • an old saw

Examples

  • Plus, there is an old saw that nobody votes for a ticket because of the vice president.

    Blog text (15)
  • As the old saw has it, you are entitled to your own opinions but not your own.

    Blog text (9)
  • The old saw goes that the answer to bad speech is more speech.

    Blog text (12)
  • We need to stop just giving students fish and start teaching them how to fish, as the old saw goes.

    Blog text (13)
  • As the old Judeo-Christian saw has it, "There's nothing new under the sun" - and that goes double for today's political controversy.

    Academic text (1992)
  • This psychological crutch theory of religion is confirmed by the old saw that states there are no atheists in foxholes.

    Academic text (1995)
  • No mention is even made of the old saw attributed to Harry Truman about how you can't be a good citizen unless you know your history.

    Academic text (1990)
  • As the old saw says, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.'

  • She often reminded us of the wise saw: 'Honesty is the best policy.'

  • The teacher quoted an old saw that illustrated the importance of practice: 'Practice makes perfect.'

Synonyms

saying
vssaw
201 1.7

A short well-known phrase that gives advice or a general truth

is specifically a short memorable maxim rather than any common phrase
proverb
vssaw
37 3.9

A short well-known saying that gives advice or a general truth

is a concise memorable saying rather than traditional communal wisdom
adage
vssaw
32 4.2

A well-known short saying that gives advice or shows a general truth

is shorter and more memorable rather than mainly traditional
old saying
vssaw
28 2.8

A short traditional phrase that gives advice or a general truth

is any short memorable advice, not only long-established expressions
maxim
vssaw
15 5.5

A short, well-known saying that gives a general rule for life

is a general memorable truth or piece of advice rather than a formal rule
gnome
vssaw
  • Literature
11 9.9

A short, wise saying that tells a general truth

is more common and less literary than this brief, formal form
aphorism
vssaw
9 7.4

A short, clever saying that shows a general truth

is more neutral and advice-focused rather than clever or witty
famous quote
vssaw
6 2.5

A saying that many people know and repeat

focuses on timeless general truth or advice rather than fame or citation
old saw
vssaw
4 7.7

A common saying many people repeat that gives simple advice

is similar but not necessarily traditional or repeatedly old
2 4.1

A short, wise piece of advice that helps you

is usually a short general truth rather than a singled-out wise remark
byword
vssaw
1 7.6

A short saying that is easy to remember and expresses a general truth

is a common moral or advice phrase rather than a representative label
apothegm
vssaw
  • Archaic
9.9

A short, clever saying that teaches a truth or gives advice

is broader, focusing on general truth or advice rather than strict instruction
apophthegm
vssaw
  • Archaic
9.9

A short, wise saying that teaches a simple truth

is wider, indicating general truth or advice not only instruction

Idioms

to saw logs
  • Informal
1 8.6

To make loud breathing noises while sleeping

to saw wood
  • Informal
9.0

Make loud snoring noises while sleeping

Compounds

5 3.5

A power tool with a round blade that cuts wood or metal

table saw
  • Specialized
5 4.2

A tool for cutting wood using a round blade that sticks up through a table

4 7.7

A common saying many people repeat that gives simple advice

3 3.2

A machine with a blade that has teeth and cuts wood or other materials

band saw
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A machine with a long thin metal band with teeth that cuts wood or other materials

scroll saw
  • Specialized
2 7.3

A small electric saw with a thin blade for cutting detailed curves in wood or thin materials

1 4.4

A machine with a round metal blade that turns quickly to cut wood

1 2.5

A portable machine with a moving chain of teeth for cutting wood

reciprocating saw
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A portable power tool with a blade that moves back and forth to cut wood or metal

crosscut saw
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A hand saw for cutting wood across the grain

1 2.1

A saw used with one hand to cut wood

saber saw
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A handheld power tool that cuts wood and other materials with a blade that moves back and forth

1 7.2

A small palm with spiny leaves that grows in clumps in the southeastern United States

coping saw
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A small hand saw with a thin blade in a U-shaped frame for cutting curves in wood

1 6.8

A small hand tool with a long narrow blade for cutting tight curves and holes in wood or drywall

1 3.5

A tool you hold in one hand for cutting metal like pipes

A hand saw used by carpenters to cut wood

compass saw
  • Specialized
7.9

A small tool with a long, narrow, pointed blade for cutting tight curves in wood

crown saw
  • Specialized
8.4

A saw that cuts large round holes with a hollow tube that has teeth

cutoff saw
  • Specialized
7.1

A saw used to cut wood across the grain at right angles

dovetail saw
  • Specialized
7.5

A small saw with a stiff back and fine teeth for cutting small angled joints in wood

back saw
  • Specialized
6.0

A saw with a stiff top edge used for making small, precise cuts in wood

A small portable saw with teeth on the blade that closes into its handle

lumberman's saw
  • Archaic
7.6

A large tool with handles at both ends used by two people to cut wood

3.6

A hand saw with a thin blade and many small teeth for cutting metal and other hard materials

A handsaw with a narrow blade for cutting tree or bush branches

A small tool with a round blade that you carry to cut wood or other materials

A small machine with a round blade that you hold to cut wood or metal

saw set
  • Specialized
9.6

A small tool that bends every other tooth of a saw blade outward

saw log
  • Specialized
6.8

A large log with good wood that is cut into boards for furniture or building

A long saw with handles at both ends used by two people to cut wood

A large cutting tool with handles at both ends that two people use to cut wood

How Formal

aphorism
9 7.4
adage
32 4.2
proverb
37 3.9
saw
5 6.4
saying
201 1.7

Surface Forms

saw singular
saws plural

Etymology

Saw (short saying) comes from an old word for 'saying' and is the same root as the verb say, so a saw is a short phrase people 'say' again and again because it gives a simple truth.