ProverbHub
Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«اِللِّبْسْ مَا يِنْطِلِي إِلَّا عَلَى اصْحَابُهْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

Clothes look right only on the people they belong to.

Literal wording

Clothing does not sit well on anyone except its owners.

Meaning and lesson

Every garment has a wearer it was meant for. On that person it looks natural and becoming, but borrowed by someone else, the same piece appears ill-fitting, odd, or even unsightly. Here the verb describes clothing sitting properly on a body, not someone being taken in by a trick. What flatters one body can embarrass another.

The image extends beyond dress to positions, habits, styles of speech, and privileges. Something that suits one person may look forced or unconvincing when another copies it. The proverb warns against taking what is not one's own and expecting it to fit.

When it is used

Use this when someone takes on a garment, role, manner, or style suited to another person and the result looks awkward. It can also be used to defend the idea that each thing belongs with the person it was made for.

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