«زَيِّ الطَّاوُوسْ يِتْعَاجِبْ بِرِيشُهْ»

The saying targets a person who parades before others on the strength of fine clothes and a polished appearance, treating outward finery as reason to feel superior. The peacock, admired for its showy tail, stands in for such self-regard.

Beyond vanity, the comparison carries a judgment about character. It suggests that such a person mistakes surface elegance for genuine merit, and that this confusion comes from a narrow mind and a small spirit unable to recognize worth that cannot be worn or displayed.

Said critically of someone who struts about showing off dress or grooming and seems to believe appearance is all that matters. It works as a dismissive comment to others or a pointed remark aimed at the show-off, implying shallowness; it is never a compliment on style.