--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They always say start at the bottom if…" description: "\"They always say start at the bottom if you want to learn something. But suppose you want to learn to swim?\" — Tommy Cooper" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a15/tommy-cooper-8755_always_they-always-say-start-at-the-bottom-if-y_2062173.jpg" --- # They always say start at the bottom if you want to learn… ![“They always say start at the bottom if you want to learn something. But suppose you want to learn to swim?” quote by Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a15/tommy-cooper-8755_always_they-always-say-start-at-the-bottom-if-y_2062173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a15/tommy-cooper-8755_always_they-always-say-start-at-the-bottom-if-y_2062173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a15/tommy-cooper-8755_always_they-always-say-start-at-the-bottom-if-y_2062173.jpg) > “They always say start at the bottom if you want to learn something. But suppose you want to learn to swim?” [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning basics is essential, but some skills require starting with fundamentals. **In simple terms:** Start at the bottom, but some skills need basics first. Key Takeaway Match learning method to skill. Themes education skill acquisition learning humor Mood thoughtful lighthearted Type advice humorous When to use this quote - sports training - musical instruments - language classes Key Concepts pedagogy skill hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - Is starting at the bottom always best? - When is direct immersion preferable? A Different Perspective Some skills need immediate immersion; not all follow a bottom‑up path. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ladder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ladder/) ## Related quotes > [A child who goes to school but learns nothing is like an anchor that is always in the sea yet doesnt learn to swim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-child-who-goes-to-school-but-learns-nothing-is-like-an-anchor-that/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“You don't really learn how to swim until you're thrown to the sharks. (Lauren)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-glen/you-don-t-really-learn-how-to-swim-until-you-re-thrown-to-the-sharks/) Priscilla Glen > [I will always take on a new challenge. I believe in jumping off the ship every now and then. If you don't, you won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-broers-alec-broers/i-will-always-take-on-a-new-challenge-i-believe-in-jumping-off-the/) Baron Broers Alec Broers > [Learn to swim. I'll see you down in Arizona Bay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tool/learn-to-swim-i-ll-see-you-down-in-arizona-bay/) [Tool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tool/) > [Challenge yourself, jump off the deep end and learn to swim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-kressley/challenge-yourself-jump-off-the-deep-end-and-learn-to-swim/) [Carson Kressley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-kressley/) > [Learn to swim. It is a sport all the peasants can play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/learn-to-swim-it-is-a-sport-all-the-peasants-can-play/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [All Norwegian children learn to swim when they are very young because if you can't swim it is difficult to find a place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/all-norwegian-children-learn-to-swim-when-they-are-very-young-because/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [People wish to learn to swim and at the same time to keep one foot on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/people-wish-to-learn-to-swim-and-at-the-same-time-to-keep-one-foot-on/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [First and foremost, it's paramount for young child to learn how to swim, and the best place for that to happen is at primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-pascoe/first-and-foremost-it-s-paramount-for-young-child-to-learn-how-to/) [Sophie Pascoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-pascoe/) > [My parents wanted us to be pool-safe, so I had lessons when I was 18 months old. I would like to share with all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/my-parents-wanted-us-to-be-pool-safe-so-i-had-lessons-when-i-was-18/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) > [I didn't learn to swim until I was 21 or something because I grew up in the mountains in Wyoming and all the water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-didn-t-learn-to-swim-until-i-was-21-or-something-because-i-grew-up/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [I started at a 'learn to swim' scheme when I was about five-years-old. I did it to learn water safety, but it was fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-tancock/i-started-at-a-learn-to-swim-scheme-when-i-was-about-five-years-old-i/) [Liam Tancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-tancock/) > [I had a lot of ear infections when I was younger, so I didn't learn to swim until I was about 14.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-had-a-lot-of-ear-infections-when-i-was-younger-so-i-didn-t-learn-to/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [My mother had been adamant that I learn how to swim properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ketanji-brown-jackson/my-mother-had-been-adamant-that-i-learn-how-to-swim-properly/) [Ketanji Brown Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ketanji-brown-jackson/) > [I often feel like saying, when I hear the question 'People aren't ready,' that it's like telling a person who is trying to swim,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-often-feel-like-saying-when-i-hear-the-question-people-aren-t-ready/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## More by Tommy Cooper > [It doesn't matter how many times the audience has heard it before. If it's funny, it's funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-times-the-audience-has-heard-it-before-if/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [“Two blondes walk into a building. You'd think at least one of them would have seen it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/two-blondes-walk-into-a-building-you-d-think-at-least-one-of-them/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Last night I slept like a log. I woke up in the fire place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/last-night-i-slept-like-a-log-i-woke-up-in-the-fire-place/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [A blind bloke walks into a shop with a guide dog. He picks the Dog up and starts swinging it around his head. Alarmed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/a-blind-bloke-walks-into-a-shop-with-a-guide-dog-he-picks-the-dog-up/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [I inherited a painting and a violin which turned out to be a Rembrandt and a Stradivarius. Unfortunately, Rembrandt made lousy violins and Stradivarius…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/i-inherited-a-painting-and-a-violin-which-turned-out-to-be-a/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmallow, and when I woke up the pillow was gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/last-night-i-dreamed-i-ate-a-ten-pound-marshmallow-and-when-i-woke-up/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [I bought some HP sauce the other day. It's costing me 6p a month for the next 2 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/i-bought-some-hp-sauce-the-other-day-it-s-costing-me-6p-a-month-for/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Our ice cream man was found lying on the floor of his van covered with hundreds and thousands. Police say that he topped himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/our-ice-cream-man-was-found-lying-on-the-floor-of-his-van-covered/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Gambling has brought our family together. We had to move to a smaller house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/gambling-has-brought-our-family-together-we-had-to-move-to-a-smaller/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [And an airplane of spittle dived into the sea, there were no salivas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/and-an-airplane-of-spittle-dived-into-the-sea-there-were-no-salivas/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [He said 'I'm going to chop off the bottom of one of your trouser legs and put it in a library. I thought, "That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/he-said-i-m-going-to-chop-off-the-bottom-of-one-of-your-trouser-legs/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [My wife said, 'Take me in your arms and whisper something soft and sweet.' I said, 'chocolate fudge.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/my-wife-said-take-me-in-your-arms-and-whisper-something-soft-and/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Electricity is a wonderful thing. Do you realise that if we didn't have electricity, we'd be watching television by candle light?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/electricity-is-a-wonderful-thing-do-you-realise-that-if-we-didn-t/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [And the back of his anorak was leaping up and down, and people were chucking money to him. I said 'Do you earn a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/and-the-back-of-his-anorak-was-leaping-up-and-down-and-people-were/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) > [Went to the corner shop - bought 4 corners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-cooper/went-to-the-corner-shop-bought-4-corners/) [Tommy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) [Explore all 78 Tommy Cooper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-cooper/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They always say start at the bottom if you want to learn something. 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