IdiomAnimals
Malay
MalayAda udang di sebalik batu
Meaning: There is a hidden motive.
Literally: There's a shrimp behind the rock
Example: “Dia tiba-tiba baik hati; mesti ada udang di sebalik batu.” — He's suddenly so kind; something fishy is going on.
English equivalent: Something fishy is going on
Origin: A Malay peribahasa: a shrimp hiding behind a stone is there for a reason. "There is a shrimp behind the stone" means someone has a hidden motive behind a kind act or a generous offer.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Il y a anguille sous roche Literally: There is an eel under the rock
Swedish: Ana ugglor i mossen Literally: To suspect owls in the bog
Hindi: दाल में कुछ काला है (daal mein kuchh kaalaa hai) Literally: There is something black in the lentils
English: something fishy is going on
More Malay idioms
- Melepaskan batuk di tangga To do a job half-heartedly and leave it unfinished.
- Kacang lupakan kulit To forget your roots and origins.
- Harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi Betrayed by the very one you trusted to protect you.
- Bagai pinang dibelah dua Two people perfectly alike or well matched.
- Bagai aur dengan tebing A mutually supportive relationship.
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