A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning

This is the classic way of telling someone to quit chasing pipe dreams and appreciate what they already have. It serves as a polite warning that a guaranteed small win beats a risky shot at a massive, hypothetical jackpot.

Pragmatic, grandfatherly

Used in a sentence

• I know that new job offer has a higher title, but I would stick with the current firm because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• Dad told me to sell the old truck for cash now instead of waiting for a higher offer, reminding me that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
• Why risk all your savings on a long shot when you have a steady paycheck coming in? A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.