The Arabic proverb is said to someone who directs words to one person while intending someone else, by implication rather than explicitly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Arabic proverb “I mean you, neighbor, listen” is said of someone who addresses one person but intends someone else, hinting rather than stating it explicitly.
Its closest English equivalents are:
“A word to the wise is enough.”
Similar in spirit to hinting, but not exactly the same.
“Speaking to one person, but meaning another.”
A direct explanation of the meaning.
“If the shoe fits, wear it.”
Used for indirect hinting.
“Some people speak in riddles and expect others to understand.”
Similar to hinting, but not a common, exact equivalent.
The most famous English expression that corresponds to the spirit of the proverb is:
“I’m talking to you through someone else.”
Meaning: “I’m speaking to someone else, but I mean you.”
In literary English, there is a similar expression:
Hinting at someone indirectly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
يُقال لمن يوجّه الكلام لشخصٍ وهو يقصد غيره تلميحًا لا تصريحًا
No comments:
Post a Comment