"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" what does it really mean?? it makes no sense to me!
2006-07-11 06:43:58 · 42 answers · asked by Snow White 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
A bird on hand represents what you already have
two on the bush represents what you could have
clearly what you already have is worth more than what you could have because you may never catch those two on the bush
2006-07-11 06:46:45 · answer #1 · answered by Eli 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even though it's only 1 bird, if it's in your hand, it's a sure thing. But the 2 birds in the bush, even though there are 2 of them and so one might think are twice as good, are not a sure thing...they could fly away before you get a hold of them. And if you have to let go of the one you have in your hand to chase after the two in the bush, you could end up with no birds at all....a worst case scenario. Similarly, if you have a job offer, apartment deal, etc "in your hands" as it were, it could be deemed risky or inadvisable to turn it down in hopes that something better will come along because a better deal might not come along and then you would have no deal, which would be worse than the deal you did have that you turned down.
2006-07-12 02:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me see if I can explain it to you..."a bird in the hand" means you already have something that's tangible that you can use at that time...."is worth two in the bush" means you'll be giving up something you've got already...to possibly get something or nothing else...of equal value...or of no value at all...you'd be taking a needless chance against all the odds...to replace something you all ready have in you possesion...
Example: let's say your on the game show "let's make a deal" and you picked door #1 and behind it was a room full of things that you could use around your house...now bob ask you if you want to give it up for another door...door#2 or door#3...in which you know nothing about...you may get a donkey or a gift certificate...or you may get a car or a vacation trip...you just don't know...you'd be taking a chance on something of value or nothing of value...
door #1 is the bird in your hand...doors #2 and #3...are the 2 in the bush that you know nothing about...if you trade door #1 off... for door #2 or door #3...you may get something...or...you may get nothing at all...and lose everything.
2006-07-11 07:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Say a guy named Jeff asked you to the Prom. Jeff in the bird in the hand. You would rather go with either of two other guys, Mark, the captain of the football team, and Raji, the class president. Mark and Raji are the two birds in the bush. You have a better chance of having a date for the Prom if you say yes to Jeff.
2006-07-15 03:56:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having something is better then potentially not being able to have that something.
or
The bird you have you can eat but the two birds in the bush might get away making you go hungry. So don't be tempted to release this bird to go after those two.
2006-07-11 06:49:00 · answer #5 · answered by targin1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone says, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," he/she means that it is better to be satisfied with something you have than to risk losing it by trying to get something better you may not succeed in getting.
2006-07-11 06:48:24 · answer #6 · answered by plinkopony 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the bird is already in your hand then why bother with the two in the bushes. It's more trouble than it's worth, enjoy the one you already have.
The Ford Focus in your driveway is cheap on payments, good on gas, and cheap on insurance. You're looking at buying the Ford Mustang, but it is twice as expensive, uses twice the gas, and the insurance is outrageous. Enjoy what you have because in the end you will have sacrificed much much more...for what?
2006-07-11 06:52:45 · answer #7 · answered by Michael T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically it means be happy with what you already have rather than risk having nothing for a chance at getting more.
It is like saying you can have a 100% chance of getting $100 or a 50% or lower chance of getting $200. The proverb means you are better off taking the sure thing of $100 because there is a chance you can end up with nothing.
2006-07-11 06:49:44 · answer #8 · answered by The Krieg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if the bird is in your hand you can crush it's little friggin' head!!!
Just kidding. I have no idea either and have always wondered.
Oh wow thanks Vinny X. That makes total sense. If you ran up to the birds in the bush so you could have them they'd fly away. Better to appreciate what you have. Nice!
2006-07-11 06:46:47 · answer #9 · answered by DiRTy D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you have already caught a bird hunting which is more valuable than two hiding in the bush that may or may not be caught.
2006-07-11 06:48:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋