He submitted when the spearhead bit him دَرْدَبَ لَمَّا عَضَّهُ الثَّقَافُ.

دَرْدَبَ لَمَّا عَضَّهُ الثَّقَافُ.
يقال: دَرِب بالشيء، ودَرْدَبَ به، إذا اعتاده وضَرِىَ به، ودَرْدَبَ: أي خضع وذلَّ. والثِّقَافُ: خشبة تُسَوَّى بها الرماح. يضرب لمن يمتنع مما يُرَاد منه، ثم يَذِلُّ وينقاد.
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He submitted when the spearhead bit him.
It is said: He became accustomed to something, and he submitted to it, meaning he became used to it and familiar with it. And he submitted, meaning he humbled himself and became submissive. The spearhead is a piece of wood used to straighten spears. This proverb is used to describe someone who initially resists what is asked of him, then eventually submits and yields.
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المثل العربي «دَرْدَبَ لَمَّا عَضَّهُ الثِّقَافُ» يُضرب لمن يمتنع ويُظهر العناد أولًا، ثم يخضع ويذل وينقاد بعد الشدة أو التأديب.
وأقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية هي:
"He came to heel."
«أذعن وانقاد.»
أي خضع بعد تمرد أو مقاومة.
ومن الأمثال والتعابير الأخرى:
"He was brought to his knees."
«أُركع وأُذل.»
أي أُخضع بعد إباء أو كبرياء.
"He finally fell into line."
«أخيرًا التزم الصف وانقاد.»
أي توقف عن المعارضة وامتثل.
"Every knee shall bow."
«كل ركبة ستنحني.»
ويستعمل مجازًا للدلالة على أن المقاومة تنتهي بالخضوع.
أما أقرب مثل إنجليزي مأثور من حيث الفكرة، فهو:
"Spare the rod and spoil the child."
«من يُهمل التأديب يُفسد الولد.»
إذ يفيد أن الشدة أو التقويم تؤدي إلى الانقياد، وإن كان لا يطابق الصورة العربية تمامًا.
ولذلك فإن أقرب مقابل دلالي واستعمالي للمثل العربي هو:
"He was brought to his knees."
أي: امتنع وعاند، ثم ذلَّ وخضع وانقاد بعد الشدة.
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The Arabic proverb “He squirmed when the rod bit him” is used to describe someone who initially resists and shows stubbornness, but then submits, humbles himself, and obeys after hardship or discipline.
The closest English equivalent is:
“He came to heel.”
“He yielded and submitted.”
Meaning, he submitted after rebellion or resistance.
Other proverbs and expressions include:
“He was brought to his knees.”
“He was brought to his knees and humbled.”
Meaning, he was subdued after pride or arrogance.
“He finally fell into line.”
“He finally fell into line and submitted.”
Meaning, he stopped opposing and complied.
“Every knee shall bow.”
“Every knee will bend.”
This is used metaphorically to indicate that resistance ends in submission.
The closest English proverb in terms of concept is:
“Spare the rod and spoil the child.” "He who neglects discipline spoils the child."
This proverb suggests that strictness or correction leads to obedience, though it doesn't perfectly align with the Arabic proverb.
Therefore, the closest semantic and practical equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"He was brought to his knees."
That is, he resisted and defied, then humbled himself, submitted, and obeyed after being subjected to strictness.