«شِيلْ إِيدَكْ مِنِ الْمَرَقْ لَا تحْتَرَقْ»

In its main sense, the saying exposes false concern. Someone warns another about the hot broth as if protecting their fingers, while really wanting to keep them from eating. It describes anyone who hides a selfish wish to deny a person some benefit behind a mask of kindness or friendly advice.

It can also be taken at face value, as a plain call for caution. Here it urges a person to pull back from something that is likely to cause them pain or damage, rather than reaching for it and getting hurt. Context decides which sense is meant.

Use it wryly when someone blocks another's benefit while posing as a well-wisher, such as a rival discouraging a deal they covet; aimed at a real person, this implies bad faith and can sound accusatory. It can also be said sincerely to steer someone from a harmful risk.