A watched pot never boils

Meaning

Time seems to crawl when you anxiously wait for something to happen.

Usage

Told to someone who is fretting over a slow result.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

An early proverb about cooking, reminding people to be patient.

Appeared in print in the 17th century, often in advice books about patience.