«اِلْعَضْمَه النِّتِنَهْ لِأَهْلَهَا»

The image is of a bone gone foul: no stranger will take it in, and only the household it came from will still claim it. A related variant speaks of spoiled meat instead, making the same point. Spoilage that drives outsiders away does not cut the tie of belonging.

Applied to people, it describes someone who has squandered their wealth and fallen into need. Others turn away, but relatives remain the shelter they return to and the ones who bear the burden of supporting them.

Said of a ruined or destitute person whose kin end up caring for them after others withdraw. It can express resigned acceptance of family duty. Because it likens the needy person to something spoiled, it can sound unflattering and calls for care.