Phrase guide

shy bairns get nowt

proverb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ʃaɪ bɛənz ɡɛt naʊt/
  • Northern-England: [ʃaɪ bɛːnz ɡɛʔ naʊʔ]
  • Northern-England: [nəʊʔ]
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

proverb

Meaning 1

If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Geordie

Examples

  • A' forgot te ask 'er fo' me money back! Wye, shy bairns get nowt.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Literally “shy children get nothing”, a reference to the shyness of children when making requests.