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Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«زَيِّ بَرْجَاسِ الْكِلَابْ عَفَرَهْ وِقِلَّةْ قِيمَهْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

Like a dog race: lots of dust and nothing worth having.

Literal wording

Like the racecourse of the dogs: dust and little value.

Meaning and lesson

The saying mocks any rivalry or bustle whose only real product is a cloud of fuss. Dogs running against each other kick up plenty of dirt, yet nobody gains anything of worth when they finish. The image ties loud exertion directly to an empty result.

When applied to people, it suggests their competing, arguing, or striving is a pointless spectacle. The energy is real, but the stakes are so slight that the whole affair amounts to dust and nothing more. The judgment falls on the triviality of the goal as much as on the noise.

When it is used

Use it to dismiss a noisy contest, quarrel, or flurry of activity fought over something trivial. It suits wry or scornful commentary, not neutral description, and aimed at someone's efforts it can sound belittling.

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