You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

Tommy Tran

2021-03-29 05:03

Meaning of You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

Synonyms:

you attract more flies with honey than vinegar

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar proverb

You can get what you want from people more easily with a positive attitude and politeness rather than being aggressive or demanding.

We would have got the deal if you had asked them more gently. You know! you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

A: "I now realize that I should be more polite when asking for a favor from somebody." B: "You know what they say, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

Other phrases about:

Civility Costs Nothing

It is easy to be nice and polite to others.

(as) gentle as a lamb

Used to describe someone kind, calm and pleasant

be on (one's) good behavior

Behave in a way that show respect and politeness

mind/watch your language

Be careful about what you say in order to avoid to upset or offend someone

Origin of You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar

"A common place of Italian proverbs and proverbial phrases". (Image Source: Bonhams)

This proverb originated from Italy was first used in A common place of Italian proverbs and proverbial phrases written by Giovanni Torriano in 1666:

"Il mele catta più mosche, che non fà l'aceto.."

It is based on the fact that flies are attracted to honey, which has been used to bait fly-traps for centuries.

It also appeared in Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, 1744:

"Tart Words make no Friends: spoonful of honey will catch more flies than Gallon of Vinegar."