- English translation
The fly that escaped the honey once will return and get stuck in it again.
- Literal wording
The bird goes back and falls into the honey.
- Meaning and lesson
Here the word usually meaning 'bird' refers to the fly, a creature notorious for landing in honey and similar sticky sweets. The image is of an insect that cannot resist the lure, so even after an escape it heads straight back toward the same trap.
Applied to people, the saying warns that someone who rushes greedily after a tempting thing may slip free of its dangers once, but repeated craving makes a later fall almost certain. The fault is persistent temptation, not one careless slip; early luck guarantees nothing.
- When it is used
Suitable for remarking on someone who keeps chasing a risky pleasure or gain after a narrow escape, implying the next mishap is coming. It works as a wry prediction or a caution aimed at the person tempted to try again.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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