«اِلْوَلَدِ الزِّفْتْ يِجِيبْ لِأَهْلُهْ النَّعْلَهْ»

A wretched, ill-mannered youngster does not suffer alone for his misconduct. The word for him literally means tar, used here as a label for worthlessness. His behavior draws curses onto the whole family, because people offended by him insult his relatives along with him.

More broadly, the saying holds that a person's conduct is seen as a reflection of their upbringing. One unruly member can damage the reputation of an entire household, so families bear the social cost of a troublesome child's actions.

Suited to comments on a child or young man whose rudeness or foolishness reflects badly on his household. It serves as a rebuke or a rueful observation. Because it labels someone harshly, it is better spoken about a person than said directly to them.