the bigger they are, the harder they fall
Meaning: The more powerful someone is, the worse their downfall.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The senator seemed untouchable, but the bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Often credited to the boxer Bob Fitzsimmons, who is reported to have said it before a 1902 fight against a heavier opponent, though similar ideas are much older.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Il n'y a pas loin du Capitole à la roche Tarpéienne — literally: It is not far from the Capitol to the Tarpeian Rock
More idioms — Daily Life
- a day late and a dollar short — Too late and not enough to be useful.
- a whipping boy — Someone who is blamed or punished for the faults of others.
- the life of the party — A lively, fun person who makes a gathering enjoyable.
- not a soul — Absolutely nobody.
- lose sleep over — To worry a lot about something.
- make a pass at — To make a sexual or romantic advance toward someone.
More English idioms
- kick against the pricks — To resist authority or fate in a way that only hurts oneself.
- hell for leather — As fast as possible.
- buy a pig in a poke — To buy something without examining it first.
- a Trojan horse — Something that seems harmless but hides a threat inside.
- the dogs bark, but the caravan moves on — Let critics complain; one carries on regardless.
- drain the cup to the dregs — To endure a hardship or humiliation to the very end.
From our untranslatable words
- Matpakke — The plain packed lunch of open sandwiches in paper, eaten at your desk — a small national…
- Takk for sist — A greeting that thanks someone for the previous occasion you met, acknowledging shared hi…
- Orka — To have the energy or will for something. Jag orkar inte carries the whole of 'I can't fa…