Don't judge a book by its cover.

Meaning: This means that you should not make assumptions about something based on its appearance.

Choice of Words: Judge is to form an opinion or conclusion about something. Book is a set of written or printed pages that are fastened together inside a cover. Cover is the outside part of a book that protects the pages. Don't is a contraction of "do not".

Alternative Expressions

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Meaning: This means to not form an opinion about something just because of how it looks. It's like saying, You shouldn't think something is bad just because it doesn't look nice.

Choice of Words: Don't is a contraction of the words do and not. Judge means to form an opinion or make a decision about something based on evidence. Book is a collection of written or printed pages bound together and protected by a cover. Cover is the outer layer of a book that protects the pages. When you put them together, "Don't judge a book by its cover" means to not make an opinion about something based on its appearance.

Don't assume things.

Meaning: This means to not think something is true just because you think it might be. It's like saying, You shouldn't think something is true just because it seems like it could be true.

Choice of Words: Don't is a contraction of the words do and not. Assume means to believe something is true without any evidence. Things is a general term for objects or ideas. When you put them together, "Don't assume things" means to not believe something is true without any evidence.

First impressions can be wrong.

Meaning: This means that the first time you meet someone or see something, you might not know everything about them or it. It's like saying, You shouldn't think you know someone well just because you met them once.

Choice of Words: First means the earliest or initial. Impressions are the thoughts or feelings you have about something based on your first experience with it. Can is a modal verb that indicates possibility. Be is a verb that describes a state of being. Wrong means not correct or inaccurate. When you put them together, "First impressions can be wrong" means that the initial thoughts or feelings you have about something may not be accurate.

Related Expressions