«صِيدِ الْغُر وَلَا نَتْفُهْ»

The saying sets two chores side by side: catching a black marsh bird of the seaside wetlands is difficult, but stripping its feathers before cooking is harder still. The construction states a preference rather than a prohibition: one would rather face the hunt than the plucking, because the second labor outweighs the first.

Beyond the bird, it expresses that hardships come in degrees, and some misfortunes are easier to bear than others. It can steady someone facing a present trouble by pointing out that a worse one exists, or warn that finishing a job may cost more than starting it.

Fits moments when someone grumbles about a hard task, and a speaker reminds them that a harder, messier stage still lies ahead, or that the present burden is the lesser one. Suited to informal, wry consolation or caution.