un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras

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French

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Literally, a here-you-go is worth more than two you-can-have-it-laters.

Popularized (as un tien vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras) by Jean de La Fontaine in his fable Le Petit Poisson et le Pêcheur; from that same fable, see also petit poisson deviendra grand.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /œ̃ tjɛ̃ vo mjø kə dø ty l‿ɔ.ʁa/ ~ /œ̃ tjɛ̃ vo mjø kə dø ty l‿ɔ.ʁɑ/; /œ̃ tjɛ̃ vo mjø kə dø ty l‿o.ʁa/ ~ /œ̃ tjɛ̃ vo mjø kə dø ty l‿o.ʁɑ/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Audio (Lyon):(file)
  • Audio (Toulouse):(file)

Proverb

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un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras

  1. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, better an egg today than a hen tomorrow
    Synonym: mieux vaut tenir que courir

See also

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