«مِزَيِّنْ فَتَحْ، بِرَاسَ اقْرَعِ اسْتَفْتَحْ»

The saying describes someone whose bad luck appears at the very start of an undertaking. A barber opens his shop, and his first job of the day, traditionally an omen for the day's trade, is a head with no hair to cut. The opening that should set the tone for success turns out to be empty.

In broader use, the image fits any person or effort that is ill-starred from the first moment. It suggests that misfortune is waiting even before work properly begins. The traditional image also treats the bald customer as unappealing, a joke about a physical trait that the saying reflects rather than endorses.

Use this when someone's venture goes wrong at its very first step, such as a new shop's first customer bringing no profit. It suits teasing or rueful remarks about unlucky beginnings. Because the image mocks baldness, use it with tact and avoid aiming it at bald people.