A watched pot never boils

Pro Tip 1/3

Expectation Delays

Feeling like time slows when you're anxious for a result highlights the proverb's meaning of perceived duration.

Waiting for her test results felt extra long because a watched pot never boils.

Pro Tip 2/3

Metaphorical Use

Understand the phrase is not about boiling pots, but about impatience and time perception.

Worrying about your flight time? A watched pot never boils, so relax and read a book.

Pro Tip 3/3

Collocation Clues

The phrase often appears with words like 'remember' and 'as the old saying goes' to advise patience.

As the old saying goes, a watched pot never boils, so let's not hover over our project updates.