More Jamaican Proverbs and Their Meanings

Wah gawn bad a mawning cyaa come gud a evening – When something goes wrong don’t expect it to get better within a short time.

Yuh fraid fi yeye yuh nuh nyam head – If you worry about what people might see or say, you won’t take risks.

Nuh swap black dawg fi monkey – Don’t throw away what you have for something worse.

When chubble tek you pickney shut fit yuh – You’re able to do anything if it will get you out of trouble.

Me come fi drink milk me nuh come fi count cow – Stay focused on the main purpose and don’t get distracted by the little things.

Wan han cyaa clap – You’ll get more done when you partner with someone than if you try to do it alone.

Wan wan cocoa full basket – Little by little, step by step will get you to your goal.

Every hoe hab dem tick a bush – Everyone has a soulmate.

Trouble nuh set like rain – You can predict the weather but you can’t predict when trouble will strike.

Craven choke puppy – Greed will get you into trouble.

Duppy know who fi frighten – People know who to bully.

An nuh every kin teet a laugh – Not everyone who smiles with you is happy for you.

Cockroach nuh bizniz inna fowl fight – Stay out of other people’s business.

Cock mout kill cock

– Your own words could come back to haunt you.

Di higher monkey climb di more him expose – The more successful a person is, the more they have to lose.

Wah fi yuh cyaa be un fi yuh – What is rightfully yours will come to you and stay with you.

If suppm nuh guh so, it near guh so – There’s a little truth in every rumour.

Scawnful dawg nyam dutty puddin – A picky person can still make the wrong choice.

Wah yeye nuh si heart nuh leap – Don’t be anxious about what you don’t see/know.

Nuh nyam rice when it hot – Wait until a situation has calmed down somewhat before you act.