ProverbHuman Nature
French origin
French originTel est pris qui croyait prendre
Meaning: Those who set traps for others often fall into them themselves.
Literally: He who thought to catch is caught
Example: “Il voulait piéger son associé, mais c'est lui qui a été démasqué. Tel est pris qui croyait prendre.” — He tried to trap his partner, but he was the one exposed: many go for wool and come back shorn.
Equivalents in English, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, and Portuguese
English: Many go for wool and come back shorn.
Spanish: Ir por lana, y volver trasquilado (literally: To go for wool and come back shorn)
Japanese: ミイラ取りがミイラになる (Miira tori ga miira ni naru) (literally: The mummy hunter becomes a mummy)
Italian: Andare per lana e tornarsene tosi (literally: To go for wool and come home shorn)
Portuguese: Ir à lã e ser tosquiado (literally: To go for wool and get shorn)
Origin: La Fontaine ends his fable Le Rat et l'Huître with it: a rat pokes its head into an open oyster to eat it, and the oyster snaps shut.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Tu as la tête sur les épaules You're grounded, sensible, and dependable — not easily swept off course.
- Tu as le vent en poupe Everything is going your way — you're riding a wave of momentum and success.
- Tu es un as You're brilliant at what you do — the very best.
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