- Meaning
- This idiom means that those in desperate need must accept whatever help or resources are offered, without the luxury of being selective, as beggars cannot demand better alms. It conveys humility or constraint, often used in personal, financial, or situational contexts to highlight limited options. The phrase carries a tone of pragmatism, resignation, or gentle rebuke, reflecting cultural values of gratitude and the human tendency to want more than circumstances allow. Its imagery of begging evokes a stark reality, resonating in scenarios like accepting flawed aid or opportunities. The idiom underscores necessity over preference, making it a sobering metaphor for compromised choices.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 16th-century England, rooted in proverbs about poverty, with its earliest recorded use in John Heywood’s *A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of All the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue* (1562) as ‘Beggars should be no choosers.’ It gained traction in 17th-century literature, notably in Francis Bacon’s essays (1625), emphasizing humility. The idiom spread through moral and religious texts, amplified in the 19th century by Charles Dickens’ *Oliver Twist* (1838), which depicted poverty’s constraints. Its adoption across English-speaking cultures, especially in the U.K. and U.S., stems from its vivid imagery and universal relevance to need.
- Variants
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- Beggars can’t be choosers
- Beggars shouldn’t be choosers
- Beggars mustn’t be choosers
- Examples
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- Beggars can’t be choosers, so I took the only job offered.
- Beggars shouldn’t be choosers; just take the free meal and be grateful.
- Beggars mustn’t be choosers, he thought, accepting the worn-out coat.
- Beggars can’t be choosers, she said, settling for the cheap apartment.
- Beggars can’t be choosers, so they used the outdated equipment donated.
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