# shy bairns get nowt

> English word · Proverb · IPA /ʃaɪ bɛənz ɡɛt naʊt/

## Definitions
1. If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want.

## Etymology
Literally “shy children get nothing”, a reference to the shyness of children when making requests.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/shy-bairns-get-nowt