- English translation
The hole is too tight for a mouse, yet someone says to ram a pestle in after it.
- Literal wording
A burrow that could not take in a mouse; he said: push a pestle in behind it.
- Meaning and lesson
The picture sets a burrow too cramped for even a mouse against a call to force a heavy pounding tool, such as a pestle or mallet, in behind it. At its core, the saying mocks any idea that piles something large onto a space, purse or person that cannot cope with something small.
Two targets remain open. The jab may fall on whoever gives the order, whose advice ignores obvious limits. It may instead fall on someone already unable to manage their own affairs who still takes on, or is handed, a further and heavier load. The image fits either reading, and context decides which.
- When it is used
Suited to light mockery of a plan that loads something big onto what is plainly too small or already strained, such as stretched funds or an overworked helper. Whether the barb lands on the adviser or on the overloaded party depends on the situation.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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