Explore Arabic traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-09-27
Sense: Verified- English translation
Ask him about his father, and he gives you his uncle’s name instead: Shuayb.
- Literal wording
I ask him about his father, and he tells me, “My mother’s brother is Shuayb.”
- Meaning and lesson
Someone answers a question with information about a different subject.
- When it is used
Said when a person’s reply misses what was asked and turns to something else.
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- Colloquial Arabic
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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