Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” mean?

"Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" means it is better to give money or help immediately rather than lend it and risk losing both the money and the friendship.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I learned the hard way that better give a shilling than lend a half-crown. I lent my friend a significant amount of money, and now we're no longer on speaking terms.

Example

My grandmother always said, 'Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown'. She believed in helping others without expecting anything in return.

Example

In times of need, it's important to remember that better give a shilling than lend a half-crown. It's better to offer immediate assistance than to risk losing both the money and the relationship

Is “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” effectively in context?

You can use "Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" to emphasize the importance of providing immediate help or assistance rather than lending money and potentially losing both the money and the friendship. For example, if a friend asks to borrow a significant amount of money, you might say, 'I've learned my lesson, better give a shilling than lend a half-crown. I'm sorry, but I can't lend you the money.'

• 1. Financial Assistance

  When a family member is in financial need, it's important to remember better give a shilling than lend a half-crown. Instead of lending them money and risking the relationship, it's better to offer immediate assistance.

• 2. Friendship

  If a friend asks to borrow a significant amount of money, you can use the proverb better give a shilling than lend a half-crown to explain why you're unable to lend them the money. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the friendship over risking it for money.

• 3. Generosity

  In situations where someone is in need, you can use the proverb better give a shilling than lend a half-crown to encourage others to provide immediate help or support. It highlights the value of generosity and the potential risks of lending money.

Similar phrases to “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.”:

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

It is better to hold onto something you have rather than risk losing it by trying to get something better

Example

He decided to accept the job offer he had instead of waiting for a potentially better one. After all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Penny wise, pound foolish

Being careful with small amounts of money while being wasteful with larger amounts

Example

He always buys the cheapest products, but ends up spending more in the long run. It's a classic case of being penny wise, pound foolish.

Actions speak louder than words

What someone does is more important than what they say they will do

Example

He promised to help, but never showed up. It just goes to show that actions speak louder than words.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" is unknown.

Is “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is an old proverb that may not be familiar to everyone, especially non-native English speakers.

What tone does “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” have?

"Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" conveys a tone of caution and wisdom. It suggests that it is wiser to offer immediate help or assistance rather than risking the loss of both the money and the relationship.

Can “Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" is considered formal. It is more likely to be used in written communication, such as essays or articles, rather than in casual conversations.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase "Better give a shilling than lend a half-crown" is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. It is not commonly used alone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• it's better to give than to lend
• helping without expecting repayment is better than lending
• immediate assistance is better than lending money

Antonyms

• lending is better than giving
• it's better to lend than to give
• lending money is more beneficial than giving