English · Daily Life
the early bird catches the worm
/ði ˈɜː.li bɜːd ˈkætʃ.ɪz ðə wɜːm/
[/ði ˈɜː.li bɜːd ˈkætʃ.ɪz ðə wɜːm/]
act early to succeed
Intermediatephrase
Definition
The person who acts first or arrives earliest has the best chance of success.
Example
I always queue before the sale opens; the early bird catches the worm, as my grandmother said.
I always queue before the sale opens; the early bird catches the worm, as my grandmother said.
Etymology
A proverb recorded in John Ray's 1670 collection of English proverbs.
How & Where It’s Used
Common for encouraging promptness and early action.
Literary Heritage
Recorded in John Ray's 'A Collection of English Proverbs' (1670).