a watched pot never boils

English

Alternative forms

• a watched pot never boils over

Proverb

a watched pot never boils

1. A process appears to proceed more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.

   Synonyms: a watched kettle never boils, watched toast never burns

Translations

a process appears to go more slowly if one waits for it

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 心急吃不了熱豆腐／心急吃不了热豆腐 (zh) (xīnjí chībuliǎo rè dòufu)

• Danish: please add this translation if you can
• Dutch: please add this translation if you can
• Finnish: odottavan aika on pitkä
• French: s’inquiéter ne fait pas avancer les choses
• Hungarian: figyelt fazék sosem forr
• Italian: il desiderio rende lunga l'attesa, se guardi l'acqua non bolle mai
• Polish: czekającemu czas się dłuży
• Russian: когда́ ждёшь, вре́мя тя́нется (kogdá ždjošʹ, vrémja tjánetsja)
• Sicilian: pignata taliata nun vugghi mai f
• Spanish: quien espera, desespera

See also

• time flies when you're having fun