Explore Arabic traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-09-27
Meaning: Verified- English translation
He buys a dirham’s worth of dates and acts as though the neighborhood’s palm trees belong to him.
- Literal wording
He bought fresh dates for a dirham; now he has palm trees in the neighborhood.
- Meaning and lesson
Someone uses a small possession or purchase to justify a much larger claim.
- When it is used
A pointed response to someone boasting of ownership or status on the strength of a trivial stake.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: He buys a dirham’s worth of dates and acts as though the neighborhood’s palm trees belong to him.