I am then like one whn o hides his horin the tamarisk tree. أنا إذن كالخاتل بالمرخة

أنا إذن كالخاتل بالمرخة
المرخ، الشجر الذي يكون منه الزناد وهو يطول في السماء حتى يستظلّ به قالوا وله ثمرة كأنها هذه الباقلك. ومعنى المثل: أنا أباديك وأن لم أفعل فأنا إذن كمن يختل قرنه بالمرخة في أن لها ظلاً وثمرة ولا طائل لها إذا فتش عن حقيقتها. يضرب في نفي الجبن، أي لا أخافك.
I am then like one whn o hides his horin the tamarisk tree. made, and it grows so tall that it provides shade. They say it The tamarisk is the tree from which flint is has a fruit like this broad bean. The meaning of the proverb is: I will destroy you, and if I don't, then I am like one who hides his horn in the tamarisk tree, which has shade and fruit, but is worthless if you examine its true nature. It is used to deny cowardice, meaning: I am not afraid of you.
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المثل العربي «أَنَا إِذَنْ كَالْخَاتِلِ بِالْمَرْخَةِ» يُضرَب في نفي الجبن وإظهار الشجاعة والتحدي؛ أي إنني سأواجهك وأبادرك، وإلا كنت كمن يخدع قرنه بشجرة المرخ، فيظن أن وراء مظهرها نفعًا، فإذا اختبرها لم يجد طائلًا.
أقرب مقابل له في الإنجليزية:
“I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”
أي: لست ممن يتراجعون أمام التحدي أو يخشون المواجهة.
ومن التعبيرات الإنجليزية القريبة:
“I’m not afraid to face you.” — لست خائفًا من مواجهتك.
“Bring it on!” — هات ما عندك! (تعبير تحدٍّ ومواجهة).
“I won’t back down.” — لن أتراجع ولن أستسلم.
“I’m no coward.” — لست جبانًا.
قرب مقابل من حيث المعنى والاستعمال:
“I won’t back down.”
وإذا كان المثل يُقال في سياق تحدٍّ مباشر لشخص آخر، فإن “Bring it on!” تؤدي نبرة التحدي والمواجهة بصورة طبيعية جدًا في الإنجليزية.
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The Arabic proverb “I am then like one who deceives with a tamarisk tree” is used to negate cowardice and demonstrate courage and defiance. It means, “I will confront you and take the initiative, otherwise I am like one who deceives his opponent with a tamarisk tree, thinking there is some benefit behind its appearance, only to find it useless upon testing.”
The closest equivalent in English is:
“I’m not one to back down from a challenge.”
Meaning: I am not one to retreat in the face of a challenge or fear confrontation.
Some similar English expressions include:
- “I’m not afraid to face you.” — I am not afraid to face you.
- “Bring it on!” — Bring it on! (An expression of challenge and confrontation).
- “I won’t back down.” — I will not back down or give up.
- “I’m no coward.” — I am not a coward.
The closest equivalent in meaning and usage is:
“I won’t back down.”
If the saying is said in the context of directly challenging another person, then “Bring it on!” carries a tone of challenge and confrontation that is very natural in English.

Take my hand today, and I will take your foot tomorrow خُذْ بِيَدِي اليَوْمَ آخُذْ بِرِجْلِكَ غَداً.

خُذْ بِيَدِي اليَوْمَ آخُذْ بِرِجْلِكَ غَداً.
Take my hand today, and I will take your foot tomorrow.
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«خُذْ بِيَدِي اليومَ آخذْ برِجْلِكَ غدًا» معناه: ساعدني اليوم، وسأردّ لك معروفك غدًا؛ أي الحث على تبادل المساعدة وردّ الجميل.
ومن أقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية: You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
= «أنت تساعدني وأنا أساعدك.» وهذا أقرب تعبير اصطلاحي للمثل.
One good turn deserves another.
= «المعروف يُجازى بمثله.» وهو أقرب إلى معنى ردّ الجميل.
I’ll help you if you help me.
= «أساعدك إذا ساعدتني.»
الأفضل
إذا أردت مقابلاً إنجليزيًا مثلّيًا وطبيعيًا:
One good turn deserves another.
أما إذا كان المقصود التأكيد على المساعدة المتبادلة تحديدًا:
You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
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“Take my hand today, and I’ll take your foot tomorrow” means: Help me today, and I will return the favor tomorrow; it encourages reciprocal assistance and returning a favor.
A similar English equivalent is:
“You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.”
This is the closest idiomatic expression to the proverb.
“One good turn deserves another.”
This is closer to the meaning of returning a favor.
“I’ll help you if you help me.”
The best:
If you want a more literal and natural English equivalent:
“One good turn deserves another.”
However, if the intention is specifically to emphasize mutual assistance:
“You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.”

You oiled and then shaved دَهَنْتَ وأحْفَفْتَ.

دَهَنْتَ وأحْفَفْتَ.
يقال: حَفَّ رأسه يَحِفُّ حُفُوفا، إذا بَعُدَ عهدُه بالدهن، وأحْففته أنا.
يضرب للرجل يحسن القولَ في وجهك ويَحْفِر لك من خلفك.
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You oiled and then shaved.
It is said, "His head became dry," meaning it had been a long time since he oiled it, and "I made it dry."

This is said of a man who speaks well to your face but plots against you behind your back.
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المثل العربي «دَهَنْتَ وأحْفَفْتَ» يُضرب لمن يُظهر اللين وحسن القول في الظاهر، بينما يُضمر الأذى أو يعمل في الخفاء ضدك؛ فهو يلاطف بوجهه ويؤذي من وراء ظهرك.
وأقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية هي:
"He stabs you in the back."
«يطعنك في الظهر.»
أي يخونك أو يؤذيك سرًّا بينما يُظهر الود.
ومن الأمثال والتعابير الأخرى:
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
«ذئب في ثياب حمل.»
أي يظهر الوداعة ويخفي الشر.
"Honey in the mouth, a dagger in the heart."
«عسل في الفم وخنجر في القلب.»
وهو تعبير قديم يقابل المعنى مباشرة.
"Fair words butter no parsnips."
«الكلام المعسول لا يصنع شيئًا.»
ويقال لمن يكثر من حسن الكلام دون إخلاص.
فإذا أريد أقرب مثل إنجليزي شائع يؤدي معنى المثل العربي، فإن أنسب مقابل هو:
"He stabs you in the back."
أما إذا أريد إبراز التناقض بين الظاهر الحسن والباطن السيئ، فـ
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
هو الأقرب.
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The Arabic proverb "You flattered and then humiliated" is used to describe someone who outwardly appears gentle and kind, while secretly harboring ill intentions or working against you; they are friendly to your face but harm you behind your back.
The closest English equivalent is:
"He stabs you in the back."
"He stabs you in the back."
Meaning, he betrays you or harms you secretly while feigning friendship.
Other proverbs and expressions include:
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
Meaning, he appears gentle but conceals malice.
"Honey in the mouth, a dagger in the heart."
"Honey in the mouth, a dagger in the heart."
This is an old expression that directly conveys the same meaning.
"Fair words, butter, no parsnips."
"Sweet talk accomplishes nothing."
This is said of someone who speaks eloquently but without sincerity.
If you want a common English proverb that conveys the meaning of the Arabic proverb, the most suitable equivalent is:
"He stabs you in the back."
However, if you want to highlight the contradiction between a good exterior and a bad interior, then
"A wolf in sheep's clothing."
is the closest. 

 

The wind(الهَيْف‏) has gone back to its customs ذَهَبَتْ هَيْفٌ لأَدْيَانِهَا‏.‏

The word "hayf" refers to a hot wind that blows from the direction of Yemen in the summer. Abu Ubaid said: The root of "hayf" is "simoom" (a type of wind). The phrase "to its customs" is the plural of "deen," meaning custom or habit. It is pluralized because "hayf" is a generic noun, and the preposition "li" (to) is used to indicate "to," meaning it has returned to its customs. Its custom is to dry and wither everything. This proverb is used when everyone goes their separate ways, and it is also said to be used for anyone who clings to their habits and does not deviate from them.
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This proverb, “Heif went back to her old ways,” is used in two senses:
For everyone to return to their usual ways and habits after a meeting or unexpected event.
For nature to prevail, and for a person to revert to their original habits and disposition.
Some of the closest English equivalents, according to the meaning, are:
If the meaning is returning to one's old habits and disposition:
“Old habits die hard.”
Meaning: Old habits die hard.
This is the most common and closest equivalent.
“A leopard cannot change its spots.”
Meaning: A leopard cannot change its spots.
Used to describe someone who returns to their old habits and disposition.
“He has gone back to his old ways.”
Meaning: He has returned to his old habits.
If the meaning is that people dispersed, each going their separate ways:
“Everyone went their separate ways.”
Meaning: Each went their own way.
“Each to his own.”
Meaning: Each has their own business and way of doing things.
“Business as usual.” That is, everything returned to how it was before.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
“Old habits die hard.”
“Old habits don't disappear easily.”
If the intended meaning is the separation of people after their gathering, the closest equivalent is:
“Everyone went their separate ways.”
“Each went his own way.”
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الهَيْف‏:‏ الريح الحارة تَهُبُّ من ناحية اليمن في الصيف، قال أبو عبيد‏:‏ وأصل الهَيْفِ السموم، وقوله ‏"‏لأديانها‏"‏ جمع دِين، وهو العادة، أي لعاداتها، وإنما جمع الأديان لأن الهيف اسم جنس، وجاء باللام على معنى إلى، أي رجعت إلى عاداتها، وعادتُهَا أن تجفف كل شيء وتيبسه‏.‏ يضرب مثلا عند تفرق كل إنسان لشأنه، ويقال‏:‏ يُضرب لكل مَنْ لَزِمَ عادته ولم يفارقها‏.‏