- English translation
Now your turn has come, one-eyed woman.
- Literal wording
The turn has come around onto you, O one-eyed woman.
- Meaning and lesson
The picture is of a round of jeering or hardship moving through a group. A one-eyed woman who has so far escaped becomes its target and must hear her own impairment mocked, just as the others heard theirs; the image relies on taunting a disability.
More broadly, it is applied when trouble or blame passes from one person to the next. Used figuratively, it need not refer to a woman or to anyone with impaired sight.
- When it is used
Fits moments when a misfortune or criticism striking people one by one reaches someone who seemed spared. Its mocking edge suits wry commentary better than remarks aimed at someone, and aiming it at a real person with a disability can be hurtful.
- Register
- Colloquial and teasing, with a mocking edge
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Now your turn has come, one-eyed woman.