English
Alternative spellings
shy bairns get noot
Etymology
Relating to the term|shyness of term|bairns||children for making requests.
Phrase
infl|en|phrase|head=shy bairns get nowt
- context|Geordie|idiom If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.
#: A' forgot te ask hor for me money back!
#: Wye, shy bairns get nowt
Usage notes
Use widely in the North East of England and is often used to encourage children to speak up and not to be too shy.
Used also by adults to imply others are too shy.
Used to say that you should never be afraid to ask, because if you ask there's a chance might get what you want, if you don't ask, you'll never get it.
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