ProverbChallengeGerman origin

Mit den Wölfen muss man heulen

Meaning: To get along, you sometimes have to go along with the people around you.

Literally: With the wolves one must howl

Example: “Ich mag diese Firmenfeiern nicht, aber mit den Wölfen muss man heulen.” — I don't like these office parties, but if you can't beat them, join them.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, and Turkish

  • English: If you can't beat them, join them
  • French: Il faut hurler avec les loups (literally: One must howl with the wolves)
  • Spanish: Si no puedes con tu enemigo, únete a él (literally: If you can't beat your enemy, join them)
  • Japanese: 長い物には巻かれろ (Nagai mono ni wa makarero) (literally: Wrap yourself around long things)
  • Russian: С волками жить — по-волчьи выть (S volkami zhit' — po-volch'i vyt') (literally: Live with wolves, howl like a wolf)
  • Turkish: Bükemediğin eli öp, başına koy (literally: Kiss the hand you can't bend, and raise it to your head)

Origin: Living among wolves, you howl as they do rather than stand out. French has the same wolves: il faut hurler avec les loups.

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