10 Dance-Inspired Phrases From Different Cultures Around the World

Don't be shy about shaking a leg while you enjoy these lively expressions, pulled from A World of Wisdom: Illustrated Sayings and Proverbs From All Over the Globe.

Do you love to groove? Bust a move? Dance it out? You're not alone! Dancing is a universal joy. While the steps may vary, the love for rhythm and movement remains constant worldwide.

This global passion for dancing has sparked a collection of incredible sayings. If these phrases, taken from A World of Wisdom: Illustrated Sayings and Proverbs From All Over the Globe, which is currently running a Kickstarter campaign, inspire you, don't hesitate to move your feet while you read.

1. "LIKE DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A CLIFF" // WALES

“Dawnsio ar y dibyn.”

A similar phrase in English would be "playing with fire," suggesting you're doing something risky without thinking about the potential consequences. The Welsh version, however, is a bit more colorful—without the risk of getting burned.

2. "A BAD BALLERINA BLAMES THE HEM OF HER SKIRT" // POLAND

“Zlej baletnicy przeszkadza rabek u spodnicy.”

"A bad workman blames his tools" is a well-known saying in English. Excuses are universal, though, and different professions inspire unique phrases across the globe. In Poland, it seems ballet dancers trump workmen.

3. "A HUNGRY BEAR DOES NOT DANCE" // GREECE

“Νηστικό αρκούδι δεν χορεύει.”

Just like a bear won't dance on an empty stomach, this saying applies to situations where one needs payment to work. This phrase also appears in Bulgaria and Turkey.

4. "THE SPARROW, UNTIL 100, WILL NOT FORGET ITS DANCE" // JAPAN

“雀百まで踊り忘れず”

Not many sparrows make it to 100, sadly. Most only live for about three years, but their dance moves are so deeply ingrained that they'll never forget them.

5. "WINE MAKES THE OLD FOLK DANCE" // ITALY

“Il vino fa ballare i vecchi.”

Italy, being one of the world's top wine producers, naturally features wine in its sayings. A glass of wine surely gets the dance muscles moving once you're of age.

6. "TRYING TO DANCE LIKE SOMEONE ELSE CAN HURT YOUR NECK" // ETHIOPIA

"Akka ebaluutti sirbaan morma nama jallisaa."

This Oromo saying suggests that trying to blend in with the crowd isn't always wise. If you're with a trendy break-dancing group, mimicking their moves might just give you a sore neck—so it's best to stay true to yourself.

7. "WITH MONEY, THE DOG DANCES" // MEXICO

"Con el dinero, baila el perro."

Money has the power to make the unexpected possible. If you save enough and hire the best dog trainers, you'll soon have a dancing dog troupe. With cash in hand, anything is achievable.

8. "THOSE WHO CAN'T DANCE SAY THE FLOOR IS SLOPING" // IRAQ

"الما يعرف يرقص يقول الأرض عوجا"

It turns out that blaming poor dance moves on external factors is a common excuse. Variations of this saying appear in Russia, India, Turkey, and even Malaysia, where bad dancers claim, "the floor is a seesaw."

9. "IT'S HARD TO DANCE IN BORROWED CLOTHES" // NIGERIA

"Person wey borrow cloth go party no dey dance too much."

When borrowing anything from a friend, it's crucial to be careful. They’ve trusted you with their clothes, so it’s probably best not to go wild with your most daring dance moves.

10. "DANCE BY YOURSELF AND YOU CAN JUMP AS MUCH AS YOU WANT" // GREECE

"Μοναχός σου χόρευε, κι’ όσο θέλεις πήδα."

The freedom to do as you please! Group activities can be tricky, as anyone who's tried to organize a dinner outing knows. But when you're on your own, you’re free to do whatever you like—nothing holds you back!

James Chapman is an illustrator based in Manchester, England, focusing primarily on language-based projects. You can support his latest endeavor, A World of Wisdom: Illustrated Sayings and Proverbs From All Over the Globe, on Kickstarter.