the proof of the pudding (is in the eating)
proverb

- the proof is in the pudding is an expression that means the value, quality, or truth of something must be judged based on direct experience

- said to mean that you can only judge the quality of something after you have tried, used, or experienced it

Dictionary Dot Com, The Cambridge Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The phrase “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” originated in early 17th-century England and originally meant that the true test of something is its practical use, not its appearance or theory.

The original version was closer to “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, where "proof" meant "test." At the time, “pudding” referred to a type of sausage or savoury dish that could contain risky or inconsistent ingredients, so eating it was the ultimate test of its quality and safety. Over time, the phrase was shortened to “the proof is in the pudding”,  which is now more commonly used in modern English.

The phrase underscores that something's value or success can only be determined by experiencing it directly or seeing it in action.

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TEST YOURSELF
Here are the top-20 most well-known proverbs in English,… how many do you know? (scroll down for answers)

1.  A bird in the hand is worth two in the  - - - -
2.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single  - - - -
3.  A picture is worth a thousand  - - - - -
4.  Actions speak louder than  - - - - -
5.  All that glitters is not  - - - -
6.  An apple a day keeps the doctor  - - - -
7.  Beauty is in the eye of the  - - - - - - - -
8.  Better late than  - - - - -
9.  Blood is thicker than  - - - - -
10.  Don't judge a book by its  - - - - -
11.  Honesty is the best  - - - - - -
12.  Laughter is the best  - - - - - - - -
13.  Look before you  - - - -
14.  Practice makes  - - - - - - -
15.  The early bird catches the  - - - -
16.  The grass is always greener on the other  - - - -
17.  The pen is mightier than the  - - - - -
18.  Two wrongs don't make a  - - - - -
19.  When in Rome, do as the Romans  - -
20.  Where there's a will, there's a  - - -

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1.  A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
2.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
3.  A picture is worth a thousand words
4.  Actions speak louder than words
5.  All that glitters is not gold
6.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away
7.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
8.  Better late than never
9.  Blood is thicker than water
10.  Don't judge a book by its cover
11.  Honesty is the best policy
12.  Laughter is the best medicine
13.  Look before you leap
14.  Practice makes perfect
15.  The early bird catches the worm
16.  The grass is always greener on the other side
17.  The pen is mightier than the sword
18.  Two wrongs don't make a right
19.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do
20.  Where there's a will, there's a way

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SYNONYMS

actions speak louder than words, all that glitters is not gold, beauty is as beauty does, believe it when you see it, can't judge a book by its cover, check it out for yourself, deeds count not words, don't count your chickens before they hatch, don't judge a book by its cover, don't judge a book by its cover until you've read it, don't take it at face value, experience is the best teacher, facts tell (their own tale), fine words butter no parsnips, first-hand experience matters, give it a go and see, hands-on testing tells all, I’ll be the judge of that, I’ll believe it when i see it, it ain't over till it's over, it remains to be seen, it's all in the delivery, judge by results, let's see how it pans out (if it holds water, it in action, what you've got), only time will tell, practice beats theory, practice what you preach, put it to the test, put up or shut up, results are what count (what matter, matter most), seeing is believing, show me don't tell me, talk is cheap, test it out, the devil is in the details, the jury is still out, the meal isn't over till the plates are clean, the only way to know is to try it, the outcome is what counts, THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING, the real test comes in practice, the taste tells the tale, the taste test, the truth is in the results, theory is one thing practice another, time will reveal all (will tell), truth comes out in the wash, try before you buy, try it and see, wait and see, walk the walk don't just talk the talk, we'll know it when we see it, what counts is what works, you can't judge the soup until you taste it, you can't tell until you try, you'll know it when you try it, you'll know when you see it

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“When it comes to fitness programs, THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING is in the mirror – and sometimes, unfortunately, on the scale.”

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