The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (336 page)
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What you LOSE on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
A fairground metaphor used in a variety of forms.
1912
Green Days & Blue Days
19
What's lost upon the roundabouts we pulls up on the swings.
1927
Times
24 Mar. 15
By screwing more money out of taxpayers he diminishes their savings, and the market for trustee securities loses on the swings what it gains on the roundabouts.
1978
Farewell Recital
129
There are compensations: what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts. And let's face it, a cup of tea or a cup of coffee are all very well but they are not so much fun as polygamy.
winners and losers
1912Green Days & Blue Days
19
What's lost upon the roundabouts we pulls up on the swings.
1927
Times
24 Mar. 15
By screwing more money out of taxpayers he diminishes their savings, and the market for trustee securities loses on the swings what it gains on the roundabouts.
1978
Farewell Recital
129
There are compensations: what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts. And let's face it, a cup of tea or a cup of coffee are all very well but they are not so much fun as polygamy.
winners and losersYou cannot LOSE what you never had
The sentiment is expressed in a number of ways: quot. 1974 represents a local equivalent. Similar to
what you've never HAD you never miss
.
a
1593
Hero & Leander
I. 276
Of that which hath no being do not boast, Things that are not at all are never lost.
1676
Compleat Angler
(ed. 5) I. v.
‘He has broke all; there's half a line and a good hook lost.’ ‘I [Aye] and a good Trout too.’ ‘Nay, the Trout is not lost, for .. no man can lose what he never had’.
1788
Works
(1872) VII. 41
He only
seemeth
to have this … No man can lose what he never had.
1935
Oxford Dict. English Proverbs
601
You cannot lose what you never had.
1974
Vet in Harness
viii.
‘Only them as has them can lose them,’ she said firmly, her head tilted as always. I had heard that said many times and they were brave Yorkshire words.
winners and losers
what you've never HAD you never miss
.
a1593
Hero & Leander
I. 276
Of that which hath no being do not boast, Things that are not at all are never lost.
1676
Compleat Angler
(ed. 5) I. v.
‘He has broke all; there's half a line and a good hook lost.’ ‘I [Aye] and a good Trout too.’ ‘Nay, the Trout is not lost, for .. no man can lose what he never had’.
1788
Works
(1872) VII. 41
He only
seemeth
to have this … No man can lose what he never had.
1935
Oxford Dict. English Proverbs
601
You cannot lose what you never had.
1974
Vet in Harness
viii.
‘Only them as has them can lose them,’ she said firmly, her head tilted as always. I had heard that said many times and they were brave Yorkshire words.
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