beggars can't be choosers
3
4.9
- idiom
- Informal
- ORD: Hey, beggars can't be choosers, Cinderella.
Examples
-
He said beggars can't be choosers.
Fiction book (1998) -
Hey, beggars can't be choosers.
-
Well, beggars can't be choosers.
-
And beggars can't be choosers
-
Beggars can't be choosers, sir.
Fiction book (1996) -
In tough times, remember that beggars can't be choosers, so be grateful for what you receive.
-
When the charity provides meals, it's important to keep in mind that beggars can't be choosers.
-
Although she expected more help, she realized that beggars can't be choosers during a crisis.
Synonyms
1
8.6
Tell someone to accept a situation they cannot change
1
8.8
Accept something as it is even if you do not like it
Surface Forms
Morphology
The proverb's meaning is directly inferable from its parts: a 'beggar' (someone who must accept help) 'can't' (is not able to) 'be' a 'chooser' (someone who selects), so the overall sense that people in need cannot be picky follows compositionally. This construction is literal and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words and basic grammar will readily understand it.
Etymology
Beggars can't be choosers comes from the clear picture of beggars asking for help, who cannot pick gifts and must take what people give. So the saying means 'you must accept what you are given' and 'not complain' when you have little choice.