How do you use "A bird in the hand" in a sentence?

Take the job offer—a bird in the hand. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I know it's less, but a bird in the hand...

A bird in the hand

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Something certain is worth more than uncertain possibilities.

确定的东西比不确定的可能性更有价值。

Algo seguro vale más que posibilidades inciertas.

確実なものは不確実な可能性よりも価値がある。

확실한 것이 불확실한 가능성보다 가치 있다.

Full proverb: 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' What you have is more valuable than what you might get. Emphasises certainty over risk.

完整谚语是：'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush（手中的一只鸟胜过灌木丛中的两只）'。你拥有的比你可能得到的更有价值。强调确定性胜过风险。

El proverbio completo es: 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' (más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando). Lo que tienes es más valioso que lo que podrías conseguir. Enfatiza la certeza frente al riesgo.

完全なことわざは「A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush（手の中の一羽は茂みの中の二羽に値する）」。持っているものは、手に入るかもしれないものより価値があります。リスクより確実性を重視する教えです。

전체 속담: 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' 가지고 있는 것이 얻을 수 있을지 모르는 것보다 더 가치 있다는 뜻으로, 위험보다 확실성을 강조합니다.

Examples

Take the job offer—a bird in the hand.
接受那份工作吧——到手的才是真的。
Acepta la oferta de trabajo: más vale pájaro en mano.
その仕事のオファーを受けなよ——確実なものの方がいい。
그 일자리 제안을 받아——확실한 게 낫지.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林。
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
手の中の一羽は茂みの中の二羽に値する。
손에 든 새 한 마리가 숲 속의 두 마리보다 낫다.
I know it's less, but a bird in the hand...
我知道少了点，但到手的才算数……
Sé que es menos, pero más vale pájaro en mano...
少ないのは分かるけど、確実なものの方が……
적은 거 알지만, 확실한 게 나아……

Pronunciation

/ə bɜːd ɪn ðə hænd/

Usage Guide

Context: decisions, risk, certainty

Tone: wise, cautioning

✓ Do Say

A bird in the hand
一鸟在手
más vale pájaro en mano
手の中の一羽
손 안의 새 한 마리
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林
más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando
手の中の一羽は茂みの中の二羽に値する
손 안의 새 한 마리가 숲 속의 두 마리보다 낫다

Common Mistakes

Often shortened to 'a bird in the hand'

Origin & History

Medieval proverb about falconry: a captured bird is more valuable than those still free. The wisdom of valuing certainty over speculation has kept this phrase alive for centuries.

Etymology: Falconry: captured bird vs free birds

First recorded: Medieval period

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal proverb

Regional notes: English-language universal.

Variations

A bird in the handBird in the hand is worth two in the bush