bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: To harm or insult someone who helps you.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Criticizing your sponsors in public is biting the hand that feeds you.”
Category: Animals
Origin: Like an ungrateful dog biting its owner. The idea goes back at least to the 18th century; Edmund Burke used a version in 1790.
Equivalents in other languages
- Portuguese: cuspir no prato que comeu — literally: to spit in the plate that one ate from
- French: Cracher dans la soupe — literally: To spit in the soup
More idioms — Animals
- in two shakes of a lamb's tail — Very quickly.
- the bee's knees — Something or someone excellent.
- at a snail's pace — Very slowly.
- the lean years — A period of hardship and scarcity.
- worship the golden calf — To value money and wealth above everything.
- ants in one's pants — Restless, unable to sit still.
More English idioms
- soaked to the skin — Completely wet.
- cash on the nail — Payment made immediately.
- move the needle — To make a noticeable difference.
- have a few tricks up one's sleeve — To have secret plans or resources in reserve.
- a Procrustean bed — A rigid standard forced on everything, whatever the damage.
- a Sisyphean task — An endless, futile task.
From our false friends
- Firma — Actually means 'signature'. Metti la tua firma = Put your signature here.
- Magazzino — Actually means 'warehouse' or 'storeroom'. A magazine (periodical) is una rivista.
- Conveniente — Actually means 'affordable', 'good value', or 'suitable'. È conveniente = It's a good dea…