«زَيِّ الْقُنْفُدْ لَا يِنْحِضِنْ وَلَا يِنْبَاسْ»

The image is of a hedgehog, a spiny animal that nobody can hold close or kiss, because its quills hurt whoever tries; the point rests on the spines alone. Affection is impossible not because people lack goodwill but because the creature itself makes contact painful.

Applied to people, it marks someone who repels closeness, either through an unappealing appearance or through a harsh, disagreeable character; context decides which is meant. Said of a real person, it is disparaging and lands as an insult about looks or temperament.

Use when describing someone people avoid approaching, either because they look off-putting or because their prickly, unpleasant manner punishes anyone who gets close. It suits informal talk and is clearly critical; aimed at a real person, it comes across as an insult.