A bird in the hand

Meaning

A sure thing is better than a speculative opportunity.

Usage

Used when preferring guaranteed gains over risky possibilities.

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.

Old proverb about the value of captured birds versus those still flying.

Eyewitnessed in English collections of proverbs dating back to medieval times.