beggars can't be choosers

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Used to say that people who need help must accept whatever they get, without complaining or demanding something better.

   Grammar: A fixed saying that stands alone as a comment; the form does not change.

   Patterns

   • well, beggars can't be choosers

   The sofa is ugly, but it is free, and beggars can't be choosers.

   I wanted a window seat, but beggars can't be choosers on a last-minute flight.

   He grumbled about the cold room until she reminded him that beggars can't be choosers.

Common combinations

well, beggars can't be choosers

Well, beggars can't be choosers, so I took the night shift.

remember that beggars can't be choosers

Remember that beggars can't be choosers when you ask for a favor.

as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers

As the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers.

I know beggars can't be choosers, but

I know beggars can't be choosers, but could I have a pillow?

guess beggars can't be choosers

I guess beggars can't be choosers when the heating is free.

Synonyms and how they differ

take what you can get

This is plainer and less proverbial, a direct piece of advice.

don't look a gift horse in the mouth

This proverb says don't criticize a gift, while beggars can't be choosers says you have no right to pick.

it's better than nothing

This simply says something is better than nothing, without the lesson about needing help.

Opposites

Word family

beggar noun

a person who asks others for money or food

beg verb

to ask for something urgently

chooser noun

a person who chooses

choosy adjective

careful and demanding in what one picks

Commonly confused: beggars can't be choosers or choosy?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “beggars can't be choosers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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