The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Meaning: People who start early or act quickly have a better chance of success.
"The early bird catches the worm" is a classic English proverb. It means that people who start early—or act quickly—are more likely to succeed. The phrase is often used to motivate people to wake up early or take initiative. For example: "You should get to the job fair early. The early bird catches the worm!" Whether you’re hunting for a job or grabbing fresh bread from the bakery, this saying reminds us: being early has its benefits.
How to use it
Use it to encourage someone to get up early, arrive first or act before others do. It’s friendly and common in daily life and at work. In American English, “the early bird gets the worm” is just as common, and “early bird” alone can mean a person who gets up early or an early discount (“early bird tickets”).
Examples
- The sale starts at 8 a.m. The early bird catches the worm.
- I applied the day the job was posted. The early bird gets the worm.
- Book now for the early bird price.
A common mistake
Use the article and a singular worm: the early bird catches the worm, not “early bird catches worm.” An “early bird” is a person who likes mornings; don’t use it for someone who is simply early to one meeting.
Where it comes from
It’s an old English proverb. It was recorded in John Ray’s collection of English proverbs in 1670 as “The early bird catcheth the worm.”
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Missouri State University