Idioms starting with N

Each card gives the idiom's meaning and one example of it in use. Open one for the Vietnamese expression that comes closest.

13 idioms

Necessity is the mother of invention
Communication and Mind
Difficult situations force people to find clever solutions.
Example: With no printer, she photographed each page — necessity is the mother of invention.
Necessity knows no laws
People in desperate need will break rules they would otherwise keep.
Example: They cut the fence to reach the water — necessity knows no laws.
Neck or nothing
Success and Failure
Risking everything to succeed, because there is no other way.
Example: With the company nearly bankrupt, it was neck or nothing, so they put their last savings into the new product.
Never offer to teach fish to swim
Work and Business
Do not try to instruct someone in what they already do better than you.
Example: He started explaining the recipe to a chef — never offer to teach fish to swim.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today
Time and Life
Do today's work today rather than leaving it for later.
Example: She filed the return the day it arrived — never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Never say die
Success and Failure
Do not give up, however hopeless things seem.
Example: We were three goals down at half-time, but the coach told us never say die.
Nip it in the bud
Work and Business
To stop a problem while it is still small.
Example: Address the rumour now and nip it in the bud.
No pain, no gain
Success and Failure
You have to work hard and endure difficulty to get results.
Example: Training hurts at first, but no pain, no gain.
No rose without a thorn
Time and Life
Nothing good comes entirely without difficulty or drawback.
Example: The job pays well but the commute is brutal — no rose without a thorn.
No use crying about it now
Emotions and Feelings
Regret changes nothing once something has happened.
Example: The train has gone; no use crying about it now.
None the wiser
Communication and Mind
Still not understanding, or unaware that something happened.
Example: He explained twice and I was none the wiser.
Not my cup of tea
People and Relationships
Not something you particularly like.
Example: Opera is not my cup of tea, but I am glad you enjoyed it.