saw
6
6.4
- noun
- /sɔ/
- 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
216
1.7
A short well-known phrase that gives advice or a general truth
70
2.8
A short traditional phrase that gives advice or a general truth
31
4.2
A well-known short saying that gives advice or shows a general truth
31
3.9
A short well-known saying that gives advice or a general truth
15
5.5
A short, well-known saying that gives a general rule for life
10
7.4
A short, clever saying that shows a general truth
8
2.5
A saying that many people know and repeat
7
4.1
A short, wise piece of advice that helps you
5
7.7
A common saying many people repeat that gives simple advice
2
7.6
A short saying that is easy to remember and expresses a general truth
1
9.9
A short, clever saying that teaches a truth or gives advice
A short, wise saying that teaches a simple truth
A short, wise saying that tells a general truth
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
6
4.2
A tool for cutting wood using a round blade that sticks up through a table
- Specialized
3
7.3
A small electric saw with a thin blade for cutting detailed curves in wood or thin materials
- Specialized
2
3.7
A machine with a long thin metal band with teeth that cuts wood or other materials
- Specialized
2
5.1
A portable power tool with a blade that moves back and forth to cut wood or metal
- Specialized
2
6.7
A handheld power tool that cuts wood and other materials with a blade that moves back and forth
- Specialized
1
6.9
A small hand saw with a thin blade in a U-shaped frame for cutting curves in wood
- US
1
7.2
A small palm with spiny leaves that grows in clumps in the southeastern United States
1
3.6
A hand saw with a thin blade and many small teeth for cutting metal and other hard materials
- US
1
6.8
A small hand tool with a long narrow blade for cutting tight curves and holes in wood or drywall
- Specialized
1
6.8
A large log with good wood that is cut into boards for furniture or building
- Specialized
1
7.5
A small saw with a stiff back and fine teeth for cutting small angled joints in wood
- Specialized
A small tool with a long, narrow, pointed blade for cutting tight curves in wood
How Formal
Surface Forms
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.