Waste not, want not.

Meaning: If you don't waste things, you won't need to want them.

Choice of Words: Waste means to use something carelessly or extravagantly. Not means the opposite of something. Want means to need or desire something.

Alternative Expressions

Don't be wasteful, and you won't have to go without.

Meaning: This is another way to say the proverb "Waste not, want not." It means that if you don't waste things, you won't have to go without them. It's like saying, If you don't waste your food, you won't have to go hungry.

Choice of Words: **Don't be wasteful** means to not use things in a way that is not necessary or useful. **And** means to add something to what you've already said. **You won't have to go without** means that you will have enough of something. So, when you put them together, "Don't be wasteful, and you won't have to go without" means that if you don't waste things, you will have enough of them.

If you don't throw things away, you won't need to buy new ones.

Meaning: This is another way to say the proverb "Waste not, want not." It means that if you don't waste things, you won't need to buy new ones. It's like saying, If you don't throw away your clothes, you won't need to buy new clothes.

Choice of Words: **If** means to say that something is true only if something else is true. **Don't throw things away** means to not put things in the trash. **You won't need to buy new ones** means that you will have enough of something. So, when you put them together, "If you don't throw things away, you won't need to buy new ones" means that if you don't waste things, you will have enough of them and won't need to buy new ones.

Related Expressions