Explore English traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-10-01
Sense: Verified- Meaning and lesson
The proverb presents a limited amount of something desirable against a group large enough to exhaust it. Its question implies that the amount is scarcely adequate.
It can express doubt that a modest provision will satisfy many people, especially when each person is likely to want a share.
- When it is used
Use it when weighing whether a small supply can meet a much larger demand. The image lends itself to a wry response when the mismatch seems obvious.
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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