Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

204
Glieabhar bean-chagair, ach 's ainneamh bean-gliaoìL
A dear-wife may he got, hut a love-wife is rare.
This is a nice distinction. 'Mo ghaol' is a warmer expression
than 'mochagar'.
Gheabhar deireadh gach sgeòil a nasgaidh.
The end of a tale is got for nothing.
Gheabhar laogh breac ballach 'an tigh gach àraich, Là
Fheill-Pàdraig Earraich.
A spotted calf toill he found in every cowherd's house on
St. Patrick's day in Spring.
Gheabht' iomramh 's an ramh gun a bhristeadh.
Rowing coidd he got from the oar without hreaking it,
Ghlacadh e 'n a lion f hein.
He was caught in his own net.
Ghoid am mèirleach air braidein e.
The thief stole it from the pilferer.
Gille cas-fliuch. Wet-foot lad.
Al. Gille uisge 's aimhne — Water and river lad.
A servant that carried his master across streams, fetched water,
and made himself generally usefuL
Gille-firein 's e ri fas, ithidh e mar bhleathas bràdh.
A growing hoy tvill eat as fast as a quern can grind.
Al. Seana-ghiuUan 's e ri fas, dh' itheadh e mar mheileadh
bràdh.
Gille gun bhiadh gun tuarasdal, cha bhi e uair gun
mhaighstir.
A servant without food or wages won't he long without
a master.
A boy-servant of all work without food or wages. — Arab.
Glac am mèirleach mu'n glac am mèirleacli tliu.
CJatch the thief hefore the tJiief catch you.
Take tlie thief before he take thee. — Ara,b.
Glac thusa foighidinn, 's glacaidh tu iasg.
Get you patience, and you'll get fish.
Glanadh mosaig air a màthair-chèile.
The slatterns cleaning of her mother-in-law.
Glas air an tigh an deigh na gadachd.
Locking the house after the theft.
Locking the stable door when the steed is stolen. — Eng.