the early bird gets the worm

== English == === Alternative forms === the early bird catches the worm === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ði ˈɜɹli ˈbɜɹd ɡɛts ðə wɜɹm/ === Proverb === the early bird gets the worm Whoever arrives first has the best chance of success; some opportunities are available only to the first competitors. ==== Related terms ==== early to bed, early to rise first come, first served ==== Descendants ==== → Chinese: 早起的鳥兒有蟲吃 / 早起的鸟儿有虫吃 (zǎoqǐ de niǎor yǒu chóng chī) (calque) → German: der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurm (calque) ==== Translations ====