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November 21, 2015
Work/Businesses

“You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there”

"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many images. The saying has been cited in print since at least…

March 15, 2026
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus

“You don’t fully know your own strength until someone tries to pull you onto a dancefloor against your will”

Some people really do not want to dance. This was posted on X/Twitter by cluedont on November 23, 2013, and it received over 900 likes: "You don't fully know your own strength until…

November 14, 2022
Food/Drink

“You don’t get a body like mine overnight. It takes years of moderate neglect and bacon”

"You don't get a body like mine overnight. It takes years of moderate neglect and bacon" is a jocular saying that has been printed on several images. "You don't just get a…

January 5, 2026
Work/Businesses

“You don’t get paid based on how hard you work. You get paid based on how hard you are to replace”

"You aren't paid according to how hard you work. You are paid according to how hard you are to replace" is a saying that has been printed on many images. Many people can work hard,…

January 5, 2026
Work/Businesses

“You don’t get paid by how hard you work. You get paid by how hard you are to replace”

"You aren't paid according to how hard you work. You are paid according to how hard you are to replace" is a saying that has been printed on many images. Many people can work hard,…

September 28, 2024
Pets (Dogs, Cats, Horses)

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, you’re not my dog”

"You don't get to tell me what to do, you're not my dog" (also "Don't tell me what to do, you're not my dog" and "You can't tell me what to do,…

October 15, 2012
Food/Drink

“You don’t get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what’s eating you”

"You don't get ulcers from what you eat; you get them from what's eating you" is a jocular line that has been credited to Dr. Albert Cliffe since at least 1950 and to Austrian…

December 30, 2012
Work/Businesses

“You don’t get what you deserve—you get what you negotiate”

"You don't get what you deserve -- you get what you negotiate" has been popularized by author and lecturer Dr. Chester L. Karrass. The line does not appear in the first edition of…

January 3, 2023
Work/Businesses

“You don’t grow out of Legos, you just graduate to Ikea”

IKEA is a store that sells ready-to-assemble furniture. It's often been compared to children's LEGO plastic construction toys. "Start with LEGO, graduate to IKEA" was posted on…

March 22, 2023
Time/Weather

“You don’t have a valentine for Valentine’s Day? I don’t have a groundhog for Groundhog Day”

Many people complain that they don't have a valentine on Valentine's Day. This is often countered by a person not having a groundhog for Groundhog Day. "And some miserables…

May 14, 2017
Transportation

“You don’t have much of a case” (damaged luggage joke)

A legal joke about damaged luggage is: "I wanted to sue airline because they damaged my luggage. I showed the damaged remains to my lawyer. He said, 'You don't have much of a…

May 30, 2012
Work/Businesses

“You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps”

"You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps" is a jocular sign that has been placed in many workplaces. "You don't have to be crazy to work here...but it…

June 29, 2015
Work/Businesses

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" is a motivational saying that has been printed on many posters. The saying is usually attributed to…

February 16, 2006
Food/Drink

“You Don’t Have To Be Jewish” (Levy’s Jewish Rye)

"Jewish rye bread" is the name of a bakery item that has been popular in Jewish communities. "You Don't Have To Be Jewish To Love Levy's Jewish Rye" is one of the most…

June 12, 2017
Food/Drink

“You don’t have to eat less. You just have to eat right”

"You don't have to eat less. You just have to eat right" is a food saying that has been printed on many images. The saying was printed in the book Weight Loss: How to Keep Your…

July 18, 2015
Work/Businesses

“You don’t have to get it right. You just have to get it going”

"You don't have to get it right. You just have to get it going" is a popular saying with many entrepreneurs. Almost nothing is perfect at the start, so that shouldn't prevent…

December 23, 2025
Buildings/Housing/Parks

“You don’t have to give your bathroom a beach theme, there is no one enforcing this”

It's very common for a bathroom to be decorated with a beach theme, but that is not required by law. "What is it with white people & beach themed bathrooms?" was posted on…

May 9, 2017
Media/Newspapers/Magazines/Internet

“You don’t have to like me. I’m not a Facebook status”

"You don't have to like me. I'm not a Facebook status" is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many images. "I WISH i could be a status, so you could LIKE…

November 14, 2014
Work/Businesses

“You don’t have to stay up nights to succeed; you have to stay awake days”

"You don’t have to lay awake nights to be a success. Just stay awake days" is a jocular saying that has been cited in print since 1948 and is of unknown authorship. "You don't…

September 20, 2021
Banking/Finance/Insurance

“You don’t know broke until you’ve rinsed off a paper plate”

"My financial status: I just rinsed off a paper plate" is a joke that has been printed on many images. Paper plates are usually thrown away after use. "You don't know poor until…

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BARRY POPIK is a contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Yale Book of Quotations and Dictionary of Modern Proverbs. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen's Comments on Etymology.

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