the early bird catches the worm

the early bird catches the worm

proverb
1. Someone who is very active and alert in the early hours of the morning is apt to find success. We need to get to the store early if we want to have the best selection. The early bird catches the worm, you know.
2. Someone who seizes some opportunity at the earliest point in time will have the best chance of reaping its benefits. This market could be very lucrative, but I have a feeling it will only be for those who take advantage of it early on. The early bird catches the worm, after all.
See also: bird, catch, early, worm
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

The early bird catches the worm.

Prov. If you wake up and get to work early, you will succeed. (Sometimes used to remark that someone is awake and working surprisingly early, as in the first example.) Fred: What are you doing in the office at 7:30 A.M.? Jane: The early bird catches the worm. I didn't expect to see you studying at the library at this hour of the morning. The early bird catches the worm, huh?
See also: bird, catch, early, worm
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

early bird catches the worm

Also, early bird gets the worm. One who arrives first has the best chance for success, as in She's always the first one in line and does well at these auctions-the early bird catches the worm! This proverbial saying, first recorded in English in 1605, is so familiar that it is often shortened to early bird, a term also used in the sense of "early riser", as in You can call me at seven-I'm an early bird, as well as "early diner" ( This restaurant has early-bird specials at lower prices).
See also: bird, catch, early, worm
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the early bird catches the worm

1. You say the early bird catches the worm to mean that if you want to succeed in doing something, you should start as soon as possible. If you're going to make it to the Senate, you need to start right now. The early bird catches the worm.
2. You say the early bird catches the worm, to mean that people who get up early achieve more in their lives. Most of the serious buying at these markets happens between six and eight o'clock in the morning — the early bird catches the worm.
See also: bird, catch, early, worm
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the ˌearly bird catches the ˈworm

(saying) you have to get up early or do something before others in order to be successful ▶ an ˈearly bird noun (humorous) a person who gets up, arrives, etc. very early
See also: bird, catch, early, worm
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

early bird catches the worm, the

Those who get there first have the best chance of success. This stricture appeared in William Camden’s book of proverbs (1605) and has remained part of the work ethic ever since. “Early bird” has been attached to restaurant offerings for diners who eat earlier than the prime hours. Such early bird specials feature lower prices. Similarly, early registration for conferences or hotels, purchases of tickets for air travel, concerts, and other events feature lower prices.
See also: bird, catch, early
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • early bird catches the worm
  • early bird catches the worm, the
  • an early bird
  • early bird
  • a morning person
  • bright and early
  • the early hours (of the night/morning)
  • the small/early hours
  • have an early night
  • early doors
References in classic literature
For, it would seem that Purl must always be taken early; though whether for any more distinctly stomachic reason than that, as the early bird catches the worm, so the early purl catches the customer, cannot here be resolved.
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"The early bird catches the worm," warns Colin Moran (left) of Property People.
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a | | NTIGUA: The early bird catches the worm at Carlisle Bay on Antigua.
Vive la cowboys!
"The early bird catches the worm." Who doesn't know this proverb?
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And sometimes the early bird catches the worm, which can be quite a disgusting experience.
Opportunity strikes as soon as I step away
They say the early bird catches the worm, but the really shrewd bird lays a trap for the worm the night before and then collects the juicy rewards at his own leisure - although admittedly that's not quite such a catchy line.
Di Matteo could turn to cricket for comfort; PULLED OFF AT HALF-TIME
The early bird catches the worm they say, so if you're wise, you'll be up at the crack of dawn and raring to go this week.
Your Stars
The early bird catches the worm It is a simple message and one that estate agents often make in the month of January, but in 2011 it seems truer than ever.
The right time to make that move; Simon Merton of selling agents Strutt & Parker with offices in Moreton in Marsh reflects on why the market is in need of more homes.: PROPERTY EXPERT