He that waits for a dead man's shoes may go long enough barefoot.

Meaning: Relying on inheritance or another's misfortune for your welfare courts poverty and hardship.

Origin: Waiting to inherit a dead person's property or position can mean waiting a very long time. John Heywood's 1546 collection has the saying.

Explore another collection: Idioms

Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.

Fuir comme la peste To avoid something or someone as much as possible.
Beurrer épais (Quebec French) To exaggerate or overdo something.
Mettre ses deux mains au feu To stake one's reputation or safety by guaranteeing something is true.

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