bird in the hand

Idioms and Phrases

A benefit available now is more valuable than some possibly larger future benefit. For example, Bob thinks he might do better in a bigger firm, but his wife insists he should stay, saying a bird in the hand . This expression, which in full is A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush , was an ancient Greek proverb. It was well known in English by about 1400 and has been repeated so frequently that it is often shortened.