Need makes the old wife trot.

Meaning: Urgent necessity compels even the most sluggish or elderly to move quickly and act.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

Translations

• French: Besoin fait vieille trotter (literally: Need makes the old woman trot)
• Spanish: La necesidad hace á la viega trotar (literally: Need makes the old woman trot)

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…