«مَا قْدِرْشْ عَلَى الْحُمَارْ اِشَّطَّرْ عَ الْبَرْدَعَهْ»

The saying ridicules misdirected aggression. Someone fails to master or punish the real source of trouble, here the stubborn donkey, so he turns on the packsaddle, an inert pad that cannot resist, and makes an ironic show of cleverness or toughness over that easy victory. Some versions have him bite or strike the saddle instead, with the same sense.

It is commonly applied to people who back down before the strong and then take revenge on the weak. The sting lies in exposing the cowardice behind the bluster: an attack on a defenseless stand-in is presented as courage.

Use it mockingly about someone who, unable to confront a powerful opponent, vents on a weaker person or harmless substitute. It suits casual talk of workplaces, families, or politics, ideally from an observer.