I know the decorations cost a lot and the relatives can be trying, but Christmas comes but once a year, so let's make the most of it.

When she teased him with 'I know you are, but what am I', he laughed awkwardly.

The old dockhand called the messy apprentice a gurry-but, and the others shook their heads at the coarse nickname.

The election, all over but the crying, left both sides preparing victory speeches.

In the village elders' stories, the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature, reminding everyone that some people's characters never change.

My grandfather would always say, 'the fox may grow grey but never good', whenever he spoke about people's unchanging habits.

In negotiations he reminded everyone of the proverb the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet, to warn that wanting benefits while avoiding costs is unrealistic.

When dealing with overseas suppliers, our team lives by the motto 'trust, but verify' to avoid costly mistakes.