Appendix:English examples of anapodoton

An anapodoton is a rhetorical device in which a main clause of a phrase that is not mentioned is implied by a subordinate clause that is mentioned. Some of such expressions are idiomatic and are entries in the Wiktionary.

Anapodoton	Full phrase
all good things	all good things come to an end
best laid plans	the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry
birds of a feather	birds of a feather flock together
if it looks like a duck	if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck
if looks could kill	A sentence such as “If looks could kill, her look would have led to a murder of the person she was looking at.”
if pigs had wings	if pigs had wings they would fly
if the cap fits	if the cap fits, wear it
if the mountain won't come to Muhammad	if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain
if the shoe fits	if the shoe fits, wear it
opinions are like assholes	opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink
plus ça change	plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (French)
speak of the devil	speak of the devil and he shall appear
when in Rome	when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when the cat's away	when the cat's away the mice will play
where there is a will	where there is a will there is a way