What could "one bird in the hand is better than two birds in a bush" possibly mean?

Question

Everybody says that but I don't get it.

Answer 1

Just the same as "It is better to have loved and lost, than not to have loved at all".

I think that the others have given you enough information rather then this person go any further.

Robert

Answer 2

It means stay out of bushes as there could be a wasp's or hornet's nest and you could get stung and the birds will fly away with all the screaming and hollering you'll be doing from the wasps & hornets stings.

Answer 3

It means that it means that being sure that you can have something is better than taking a risk for something that might not work. For example a lottery ticket: in this case the money that could be spent on tickets is the bird in hand. the slim possibility of winning however is not worth risking your well earned money, thus the bird in the hand is better that the two in the bush.

Answer 4

It's a metaphor.  It means that actually having something is what matters, not what you plan on having, or dream of having or wanting or what you are promised.

For instance, cash in your hand is better than the paycheck you are "supposed to get" next month.  Nothing can be counted on as real until it's actually in your hand.  And also, this particularly saying ties in with another similar one: "don't count your eggs till they hatch."  The future isn't real, only the present is real and the only thing you can count on.

Answer 5

It is a simple metaphor that says that having something right now with you is better than not having it an it  being somewhere else in a larger quantity but not on hand.

Answer 6

As to answer what th expression means, the above answers are correct. However... To me it means that the people who invented this line, didn't figure out yet that it's better to have one bird in the bush than ten in the hand... (assumings that hand wouldn't want to set the ten birds free)

So it's an expression I'd never use.

(Guess some will call me a wise nose now:p)

Answer 7

I've never heard of that one but here is my guess, they are probably telling you it is better to do something about whatever situation you are in then to watch it and let it get out of hand.