a watched pot never boils
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: a watched pot never boils over
Meaning · English
A process appears to proceed more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a watched pot never boils” mean?
A process appears to proceed more slowly if one waits for it rather than engaging in other activities.
Is “a watched pot never boils” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.