ProverbHuman Nature
Korean origin
Korean origin호랑이 없는 골에 토끼가 왕 노릇 한다 (Horangi eomneun gore tokkiga wang noreut handa)
Meaning: When the strong are absent, the weak take charge.
Literally: In a valley without a tiger, the rabbit plays king
Example: “팀장이 출장 가니 신입이 대장 노릇을 한다. 호랑이 없는 골에 토끼가 왕 노릇 한다.” — With the team leader away on business, the new hire is acting like the boss: when the cat's away, the mice will play.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and 5 more languages
English: When the cat's away, the mice will play
French: Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent (literally: When the cat isn't there, the mice dance)
Spanish: Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan (literally: When the cat's not there, the mice dance)
Japanese: 鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯 (Oni no inu ma ni sentaku) (literally: Do laundry while the demon's away)
German: Ist die Katze aus dem Haus, tanzen die Mäuse auf dem Tisch (literally: When the cat is out of the house, the mice dance on the table)
Italian: Quando il gatto non c'è i topi ballano (literally: When the cat's not there, the mice dance)
Dutch: Als de kat van huis is, dansen de muizen (literally: When the cat is away, the mice dance)
Russian: Без кота мышам раздолье (Bez kota mysham razdol'ye) (literally: Without the cat, the mice run free)
Polish: Gdy kota nie ma, myszy harcują (literally: When the cat's gone, the mice frolic)
Arabic: إذا غاب القط العب يا فار (Idhā ghāb al-qiṭṭ, ilʿab yā fār) (literally: When the cat's away, play, mouse)
Origin: With the tiger gone from the valley, even a rabbit can play king.
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- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
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