IdiomAnimals
Estonian
EstonianIga kana kraabib enda poole
Meaning: Everyone looks out for their own interest.
Literally: Every hen scratches toward itself
Example: “Eelarve jagamisel kraabib iga kana enda poole.” — When the budget is shared out, everyone looks out for number one.
English equivalent: To look out for number one
Origin: A hen scratching the ground always rakes the soil toward itself, to get at the grain. The Estonian proverb means that everyone looks after their own interests. No first use is documented.
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: arrimar el ascua a su sardina Literally: To draw the hot coal toward one's sardine
Italian: tirare l'acqua al proprio mulino Literally: To pull the water to one's own mill
English: look out for number one
More Estonian idioms
- Nina püsti käima To be snooty and arrogant.
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