ProverbChallenge
International origin
International originThe lion's not half so fierce as he's painted.
Meaning: Fearsome reputations often exceed reality; appearance and hearsay exaggerate actual danger.
Origin: An old proverb with versions in several European languages, such as the Spanish no es tan fiero el león como lo pintan. Things are rarely as frightening as they are made out to be.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- 黑化肥发黑会挥发；灰化肥发灰会挥发。(Hēihuàféi fā hēi huì huīfā; huīhuàféi fā huī huì huīfā.) A 'hēi/huī/huì/fā' four-tone minefield — the tones alone change every meaning.
- De kat krabt de krullen van de trap. A 'kr' cluster drill — Dutch consonant pileups that beginners approach with dread.
- Als vliegen achter vliegen vliegen, vliegen vliegen vliegen achterna. The same noun/verb homograph trap as the German version — vliegen does triple duty.
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