IdiomFood & Drink
Swahili
SwahiliChovya chovya humaliza buyu la asali
Meaning: Small indulgences add up to a big loss.
Literally: Dipping bit by bit empties the gourd of honey
Example: “Kununua kahawa ghali kila siku: chovya chovya humaliza buyu la asali.” — Buying expensive coffee every day adds up until the savings are gone.
Origin: Honey was kept in a dried gourd (buyu), and dipping a finger in for a taste, again and again, empties it in the end. The Swahili proverb warns that small, repeated takings add up to a big loss.
More Swahili idioms
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- Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa You cannot do everything alone.
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