IdiomAnimals
Vietnamese
VietnameseCõng rắn cắn gà nhà
Meaning: To bring in an outsider who harms your own people.
Literally: To carry a snake home to bite your own chickens
Example: “Bán bí mật công ty cho đối thủ là cõng rắn cắn gà nhà.” — Selling company secrets to a rival is letting in a Trojan horse.
English equivalent: A Trojan horse
Origin: Carrying a snake home on one's back to bite one's own chickens is bringing in an outsider who harms one's own people. The Vietnamese saying is used above all of those who collaborate with a foreign enemy against their own country.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un cheval de Troie Literally: A Trojan horse
English: a Trojan horse
More Vietnamese idioms
- Ăn cơm nhà vác tù và hàng tổng To do thankless public work at your own expense.
- Đứng núi này trông núi nọ Never satisfied with what you have; the grass is always greener.
- Ăn cháo đá bát To be ungrateful and turn on those who helped you.
- Nước đổ lá khoai Advice or effort that has no effect at all; in one ear and out the other.
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