- English translation
Eat on credit, drink on credit, and if the creditor turns up, put his eye out.
- Literal wording
Eat on debt and drink on debt, and if the owner of the right comes, gouge out an eye for him.
- Meaning and lesson
In imperative form, the saying urges complete unconcern with the affairs of this world. It pictures someone taking food and drink on credit and, when the creditor comes to claim what is owed, putting out his eye instead of worrying about the debt.
Debt stands in for every burden and obligation life imposes, and the brutal treatment of the creditor marks the furthest possible limit of refusing to be troubled. Nothing, the saying implies, should be allowed to disturb one's peace of mind. The violent image is figurative hyperbole, not a literal call to harm anyone.
- When it is used
Fits informal speech when urging someone to stop letting worldly cares and obligations weigh on them. Its dialect wording and harsh closing image make it a poor choice for formal or polite settings.
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- Colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Eat on credit, drink on credit, and if the creditor turns up, put his eye out.