More cunning than a chameleon أحزم من حرباء

أحزم من حرباء
لأنه لا يخلي على ساق شجرة حتى يمسك شجرة أخرى. وقال:
إني أتيح لها حرباء تـنـضـبة
لا يرسل الساق إلا ممسكاً ساقاً
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More cunning than a chameleon, for it never leaves one tree trunk unattended until it has seized another. He said:
I have provided her with a chameleon that never lets go of a trunk without holding another trunk.
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«أحزم من حرباء» يُضرب في وصف الشخص شديد الحذر والاحتياط، الذي لا يترك موضعًا حتى يضمن موضعًا آخر؛ وشُبّه بالحرباء لأنها لا تترك ساق الشجرة التي تمسك بها حتى تمسك بساق أخرى.
أقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية: Better safe than sorry.
= «الاحتياط خير من الندامة.» وهو أقرب مثل إنجليزي إلى فكرة الحزم والاحتياط.
He never leaves one thing until he has another secured.
= «لا يترك شيئًا حتى يضمن بديله.»
He always has a backup plan.
= «دائمًا لديه خطة بديلة.»
He doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket.
= «لا يضع كل بيضه في سلة واحدة»، وهو مناسب إذا كان المقصود عدم المخاطرة بفقدان كل شيء والاحتفاظ ببديل.
وأقرب مقابل للمثل في سياقه تحديدًا:
He never lets go until he has a firm grip on something else.
أما إذا كنت تريد مثلًا إنجليزيًا مأثورًا بدل الترجمة الحرفية، فأرشح:
Better safe than sorry.
لكن «أحزم من حرباء» أدق من ذلك؛ لأنه لا يدل على مجرد الحذر، بل على شدة الاحتياط وضمان البديل قبل التخلي عن الشيء الأول.
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"More cautious than a chameleon" is used to describe someone who is extremely careful and prudent, never leaving one position until they have secured another. They are likened to a chameleon because they don't let go of the tree branch they're clinging to until they've secured another.
Similar English equivalents:
Better safe than sorry.
This proverb is closer to the idea of ​​prudence and caution.
He never leaves one thing until he has another secured.
He always has a backup plan.
He doesn't put all his eggs in one basket.
This proverb is appropriate if the intention is to avoid risking everything and to have a backup plan.
The closest equivalent in this specific context is:
He never lets go until he has a firm grip on something else.
If you'd prefer a more proverbial English expression instead of a literal translation, I suggest:
Better safe than sorry.
However, "more cautious than a chameleon" is more accurate; it doesn't just convey caution, but extreme prudence and securing an alternative before abandoning the first option. 

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أحزم من فرخ العقاب

More determined than an eagle chick

أحزم من سنان

More resolute than Sinan

 

 

 

More cunning than a wolf in a wine-growing region, and more cunning than a wolf in a thicket أَخْبَثُ مِنْ ذِئْبِ الْخَمَرِ، وَأَخْبَثُ مِنْ ذِئْبِ الغَضَى.

أَخْبَثُ مِنْ ذِئْبِ الْخَمَرِ، وَأَخْبَثُ مِنْ ذِئْبِ الغَضَى.
قال حمزة: العرب تسمي ضروباً من البهائم بضروب من المراعي تَنْسُبها إليها، فيقولون: أرنب الخلة، وضَبُّ السحا، وظبي الحلب، وتيس الربلة، وقنفذ برقة، وشيطان الحَمَاطة، وذلك كله على قدر طِباع الأمكنة والأغْذِية العاملة في طباع الحيوان، وفي أسجاع ابنة الخُسِّ: أخبثُ الذئابِ ذئب الغَضَى، وأخبث الأفاعي أفْعَى الجدب، وأسرع الظباء ظباء الحلب، وأشد الرجال الأعجف، وأجمل النساء الفَخْمة الأسيلة، وأقبح النساء الْجَهْمَة القفرة، وآكَلُ الدواب الرَّغُوث، وأطيب اللحم عوّذه، وأغْلَظُ المَوَاطئ الحَصَا على الصَّفَا، وشر المال ما لا يُزَكَّى ولا يُذَكى، وخير المال مُهْرَة مأمورة أو سكة مأبُورَة.
قال: وعلى هذا المجرى حكاية حكاها ابن الأعرابي عن العرب، زعَم أنه قيل للبكرية: ما شجرة أبيك؟ فقالت: العَرْفَجَة إذا قُدِحَت التهبت، وإذا خليت قصبت، وقيل للقيسية: ما شجرة أبيك؟ فقالت: الخلة، ذليقة الدرة، حديدة الجرة، وقيل للتميمية: ما شجرة أبيك؟ فقالت: الإسليح رغوة وصريح، وسَنَام إطريح، تُفيئه الريح، وقيل للأسدية: ما شجرة أبيك؟ فقالن: الشرشر، وطب حشر، وغلام أشر، حشر: أي وسخ، ووسخ الوَطْب من اللبن يدعى حشراً.
قلت: قوله "وطب حشر" كذا قرئ على حمزة بالحاء، وروى عنه والصواب جشر بالجيم، وكذا في التهذيب عن الأزهري، وفي الصحاح عن الجوهري: قال حمزة: [ص: 260]والسنام الإطريح: المرتفع، يقال: طَرَحَ القوم بناءهم، أي رفعوه وطَوَّلوه، والحلب: شجرة حلوة فلذلك ظباؤها أسرع، وأبطأ الظباء ظباء الحَمْضِ، لأن الحمض مالح.
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More cunning than a wolf in a wine-growing region, and more cunning than a wolf in a thicket.

Hamza said: The Arabs name certain types of animals after types of pastures to which they are related. They say: the rabbit of the thicket, the lizard of the desert, the gazelle of the desert, the ram of the desert, the hedgehog of the desert, and the devil of the desert. All of this is according to the nature of the places and the foods that affect the animal's temperament. In the rhymed prose of the daughter of Khuss: The most cunning of wolves is the wolf of the thicket, the most cunning of snakes is the viper of the desert, the swiftest of gazelles are the gazelles of the desert, the strongest of men is the lean one, the most beautiful of women is the elegant and graceful one, the ugliest of women is the gloomy and desolate one, the most voracious of animals is the flea, the tastiest meat is the one with aloes, the roughest foothold is the pebbles on the smooth rock, the worst wealth is that which is neither purified nor slaughtered, and the best wealth is a well-trained mare or a well-trained mare. Mabura.
He said: And on this same note, Ibn al-A'rabi related a story about the Arabs. He claimed that the Bakri woman was asked: "What is your father's tree?" She replied: "The *'arfaja* tree; when struck, it ignites, and when left unattended, it becomes brittle." The Qaysi woman was asked: "What is your father's tree?" She replied: "The *khalla* tree, with its sharp edges and strong, round jars." The Tamimi woman was asked: "What is your father's tree?" She replied: "The *islih* tree, with its foam and clear sap, and its hump is like a camel's hump, which the wind sways." The Asadi woman was asked: "What is your father's tree?" She replied: "The *sharshar* tree, and a *hashr* tree, and a *ghulam ashar* tree." *Hashr* means dirty, and the dirt from a *watb* (a type of milk container) is called *hashr*.

I said: His saying “and the hamza was raised” was read to Hamza with a “ha” and it was narrated from him, and the correct word is “jashar” with a “jim,” and likewise in Al-Tahdhib on the authority of Al-Azhari, and in Al-Sahah on the authority of Al-Jawhari: Hamza said: [p. 260] “The raised hump” is the elevated one. It is said: “The people raised their building,” meaning they raised it and lengthened it. “Al-Halab” is a sweet tree, so its gazelles are faster, and the slowest of the gazelles are the gazelles of the salt tree, because the salt tree is salty.
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المثل العربي «أَخْبَثُ مِنْ ذِئْبِ الغَضَى» أو «ذِئْبِ الخَمَر» يُضرب لمن بلغ الغاية في الخبث والمكر وسوء الطبع. وليس المقصود الذئب مطلقًا، بل ذئبًا نُسب إلى بيئة أو مرعى عُرف عند العرب بأنه يُكسب الحيوان شراسة وخبثًا أشد.
ولا يوجد مقابل إنجليزي يطابق الصورة نفسها، لكن أقرب الأمثال والتعبيرات في الثقافة الإنجليزية هي: As cunning as a fox.
«ماكر كالثعلب.»
وهو أشهر تشبيه بالمكر والخبث.
A snake in the grass.
«حية في العشب.»
يضرب للخبيث الذي يخفي شره وغدره.
As sly as a fox.
«داهية أو خبيث كالثعلب.»
The devil incarnate.
«شيطان متجسد.»
يقال للمفرط في الشر والخبث.
Meaner than a junkyard dog.
«أشرس وأخبث من كلب حراسة.»
تعبير عامي أمريكي عن شدة الخبث والعدوانية.
وأقرب مقابل من حيث بلوغ الغاية في الخبث والمكر هو:
A snake in the grass.
أما إذا أريد التأكيد على الخبث الفطري المتأصل، فيمكن أن يقابله:
As sly as a fox.
وكما جعل العرب ذئب الغضى رمزًا للخبث، جعلت الثقافة الإنجليزية الثعلب رمزًا للمكر والدهاء، والحية رمزًا للخبث والغدر.
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The Arabic proverb “More cunning than a wolf of the thicket” or “a wolf of the vineyard” is used to describe someone who has reached the pinnacle of cunning, deceit, and ill-temper. It doesn't refer to a wolf in general, but rather to a wolf associated with a specific environment or pasture known among Arabs to instill in animals greater ferocity and cunning.
There is no direct English equivalent, but some of the closest proverbs and expressions in English culture are:
As cunning as a fox.
“Cunning as a fox.”
This is the most common simile for cunning and deceit.
A snake in the grass.
“A snake in the grass.”
This is said of someone who is malicious and hides their evil and treachery.
As sly as a fox.
“A cunning or deceitful person like a fox.”
The devil incarnate.
“A devil incarnate.”
This is said of someone who is extremely evil and malicious.
Meaner than a junkyard dog.
"More vicious and cunning than a guard dog."
An American slang expression for extreme malice and aggression.
The closest equivalent, in terms of reaching the pinnacle of cunning and deceit, is
"A snake in the grass."
However, if one wants to emphasize an inherent, innate malice, one could use:
"As sly as a fox."
Just as the Arabs made the wolf a symbol of malice, English culture made the fox a symbol of cunning and shrewdness, and the snake a symbol of treachery and betrayal.

More cunning than a lizard أَخْدَعُ مِنْ ضَبٍّ.

أَخْدَعُ مِنْ ضَبٍّ.
التخدُّع: التواري، والمَخْدضع من هذا أخذ، وهو بيتٌ في جَوْف بيت يُتَوَارى فيه، وقالوا في الضب ذلك لتواريه وطول إقامته في جُحْره وقلة ظهوره.
وقال أبو على لكذه: خدع الضب إنما يكون من شدة حَذَره، وأما صفة خدعه فأن يعمد بذنبه باب جُحْره ليضربَ به حيةً أو شيئاً آخر إن جاءه، فيجيء المتحرشُ فإن كان الضب مجربا أخرج ذنبه إلى نصف الجحر، فإن دخل عليه شيء ضربه، وإلا بقي في جحره، فهذا هو خدعه، قال الشاعر:
وأخْدَعُ من ضَبٍّ إذا جاء حَارِشٌ ... أعَدَّ له عند الذنابة عَقْرَباَ
وذلك أن بيت الضب لا يخلو من عقرب، لما من الألفة والاستعانة بها على المحترش، هذا قول أهل اللغة.
وقال بعض أصحاب المعاني: العربُ تذكر الضبَّ والضبع والوحر والعقربَ في مجاري كلامها من طريق الاستعارة، فأما الضبُّ فإنهم يقولون: فلان خَبٌّ ضَبٌّ، فيشبهون الحقد الكامن في قلبه الذي يَسْرِي ضَرَرُه بخدع الضب في جحره، وأما الضبع فإنهم يجعلونها اسماً للسنة الشديدة، إذ كانت الضبعُ أفْسَدَ شيء من الدواب، فشبهوا بها السنة الشديدة التي تأكل المال، وأما الوحر فإنه دُوَيبة حمراء إذا جَثَمت تَلْزَق بالأرض فيقولون منه: وَحِرَ صَدْرُ فلانٍ، ذهبوا إلى التزاق الحقد بالصدر كالتزاق الوَحَرِ بالأرض وأما العقرب فإنهم يقولون: سَرَتْ عقاربُ فلانٍ، وفلان تَدِبُّ عقاربه، إذا خَفِيَ مكان شره.
قلت: والمثل أعني قولهم "أخدع من ضب" يضرب لمن تطلُبُ إليه شيئاً، وهو يَرُوغُ إلى غيره.
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More cunning than a lizard
. The word "takhda'u" (تخدّع) means to hide or conceal oneself. The word "makhda'a" (مخدّع) is derived from this root and refers to a chamber within a chamber where one hides. This term is applied to the lizard because of its tendency to hide, its long stay in its burrow, and its infrequent appearances.
Abu Ali said regarding this: The lizard's cunning stems from its extreme caution. Its method of deception involves extending its tail towards the entrance of its burrow to strike a snake or something else that might approach. If the aggressor comes, and the lizard is experienced, it will extend its tail halfway into the burrow. If something enters, it will strike; otherwise, it will remain in its burrow. This is its cunning. The poet said:
More cunning than a lizard when an aggressor comes... it prepares a scorpion for him at its tail.
This is because a lizard's burrow is never without a scorpion, due to its familiarity with the lizard and its use in attacking the aggressor. This is the opinion of the linguists. Some scholars of meaning said: The Arabs mention the lizard, the hyena, the hyena, and the scorpion in their speech metaphorically. As for the lizard, they say: So-and-so is a cunning lizard, likening the hidden malice in his heart, whose harm spreads, to the deceit of the lizard in its burrow. As for the hyena, they use it as a name for a severe year, since the hyena was the most destructive of animals, so they likened the severe year that consumes wealth to it. As for the hyena, it is a small red creature that, when it crouches, sticks to the ground, so they say: So-and-so's heart is filled with malice, meaning that malice sticks to the heart like a hyena sticks to the ground. As for the scorpion, they say: So-and-so's scorpions have crept in, and so-and-so's scorpions are creeping in, when the source of his evil is hidden. I said: The proverb, I mean their saying “more cunning than a lizard,” is used to describe someone from whom you ask for something, and he evades it to someone else.
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The closest English equivalent to the proverb "more cunning than a lizard," meaning someone who is evasive and elusive, dodging requests and concealing their intentions, is:
As sly as a fox.
Extremely cunning or evasive.
If the focus is on evasion and maneuvering rather than cunning, suitable expressions include:
He always keeps something up his sleeve.
To dodge the issue.
To be as slippery as an eel.
Veiled and difficult to hold or compel.
Considering the explanation at the end of the text: "It is said of someone who, when asked for something, evades the request," the closest semantic equivalent is:
He is as slippery as an eel.
(He is elusive and difficult to catch or get to do what is asked of him.)
But if the aim is to highlight hidden cunning and deceit, then "As sly as a fox" is the most famous.

.Leave the shortcuts to the cunning thief. دَعِ المَعَاجِيلَ لِطِمْلٍ أَرْجَلَ

"Ma'ajil" is the plural of "ma'jal," which means a shortcut to houses and water sources, as if it were too quick to be fully laid out. "Timl" refers to a cunning thief, and "arjal" means someone with strong, sturdy feet who hardly ever wears out.
This proverb is used to advise staying away from places of suspicion, meaning to leave them to those who are suspected.
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The proverb "Leave the hasty ones to the one with the long legs" means: Stay away from dubious paths and suspicious means, leave them to those who engage in them, and avoid places of accusation and suspicion.
The closest English proverbs to this meaning are:
If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
— Meaning that associating with bad people or following their ways brings harm and accusations.
Avoid the appearance of evil.
— This is closest in meaning to staying away from places of accusation.
Keep out of harm's way.
Stay away from danger.
Stay away from trouble.
Don't play with fire.
— Meaning, don't expose yourself to what will bring you harm.
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المعاجيل: جمع مَعْجَل، وهو الطريق المختصر إلى المنازل والمياهِ، كأنه أعجل عن أن يكون مبسوطا، والطِّمْل: اللص الخبيث، والأرْجَلُ: الصلب الرِّجْل الذي لا يكاد يَحْفَى.
يضرب في التباعد عن مواضع التُّهَمِ، أي دعها لأصحابها.

More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr أدهى من قيس بن زهير

He was the chief of the Abs tribe, and many things were said about his cunning: Among them, when he passed through the land of Ghatafan and saw wealth and a large number of people, he disliked it. Al-Rabi' ibn Ziyad al-Absi said to him, "What pleases people displeases you." He replied, "My nephew, you do not know that with wealth and blessings come envy, hatred, and betrayal, while with scarcity comes mutual support, cooperation, and solidarity." Another of his sayings to his people was: "Beware of the pitfalls of injustice, the scandals of treachery, and the slips of the tongue in jest." He also said: "Four are unbearable: a slave who is a king, a satiated scoundrel, a slave woman who inherits, and an ugly woman who marries." He also said: "Speech is public, silence is private." And he said: "The fruit of obstinacy is confusion, the fruit of haste is regret, the fruit of conceit is hatred, and the fruit of procrastination is humiliation."
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The proverb "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr" is used to describe a man of exceptional shrewdness, wisdom, sound judgment, and foresight.
Qays ibn Zuhayr was a leader of the Abs tribe, renowned among the Arabs for his intelligence and shrewdness, to the point that his name became synonymous with cunning.
Some English equivalents include:
As cunning as a fox.
Wise as a serpent.
A master strategist.
He is nobody's fool.
Sharp as a tack.
If the proverb emphasizes political acumen or sound judgment beyond mere intelligence, the best equivalent is:
"A master strategist."
But if the intention is to convey both cunning and shrewdness, then the closest equivalent is:
"As cunning as a fox."
This is a well-known English proverb that corresponds to the Arabic saying: "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr."
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هو سيد عبس وذكر من دهائه أشياء كثيرة : منها أنه مر ببلاد غطفان فرأى ثروة وعديدا فكره ذلك فقال له الربيع ابن زياد العبسي : إنه يسوءك ما يسر الناس فقال له : يا ابن أخي إنك لا تدري أن مع الثروة والنعمة التحاسد والتباغض والتخاذل وأن مع القلة التعاضد والتوازر والتناصر . ومنها قوله لقومه : إياكم وصرعات البغي وفضحات الغدر وفلتات المزح . وقوله : أربعة لا يطاقون : عبد ملك ونذل شبع وأمة ورثت وقبيحة تزوجت . وقوله : المنطق مشهرة والصمت مستترة . وقوله : ثمرة اللجاجة الحيرة وثمرة العجلة الندامة وثمرة العجب البغضة وثمرة التواني الذلة

The wolf stalks the gazelle الذِّئْبُ يَأْدُو للْغَزَالِ‏.‏

He said: I stalked him, I stalk him, stalking him, and he recited: I stalked him to seize him, but the young man is far from being cautious. (The word "cautious" is in the accusative case, governed by an implied verb, meaning "he remains cautious," or it is an adverbial phrase modifying the subject of the verbal noun.) This proverb is used to describe deception and trickery.
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he proverb "The wolf lies in wait for the gazelle" means that the wolf deceives and tricks the gazelle, lying in wait to trap it. Therefore, it is used to describe deception, cunning, and plotting against others to ensnare them.
ome of the closest English proverbs and expressions to this are:
"The wolf lies in wait for the lamb." (A very close image of the original meaning.)
"Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing." (Said of someone who hides their cunning and deceit behind an innocent appearance.)
e is laying a trap." (He is setting a trap.)
"To lure someone into a trap." (He is trying to lure someone into a trap.)
The fox knows many tricks." (The fox knows many tricks.)
seaad to denote cunning and shrewdness.
he closest English proverb that conveys the meaning of the Arabic proverb, in terms of ambush and deception to ensnare prey, is:a

 The wolf lies in wait for the lamb."

That is, the wolf lies in wait for the lamb, anticipating the opportunity to pounce.

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  قال‏:‏ أَدَوْتُ لَهُ آدُو أَدْواً، إذا خَتَلْته، وينشد‏:‏ a
أدوت له لآخُذَهُ * فَهَيْهَاتَ الْفَتَى حَذِرَا ‏(‏نصب ‏"‏حذرا‏"‏ بفعل مضمر أي لا يزال حذرا، أو على الحال من فاعل اسم الفعل‏.‏‏)‏
يضرب في الخديعة والمكر‏

That is one of the unique ones. ذَاكَ أَحَدُ الأحَدِينَ‏.‏

Ibn al-A'rabi said: This is the most eloquent praise. He said: It is said, "One of the unique ones," just as you say, "One without peer." It is also said, "So-and-so is one of the unique ones," and "One of the unique ones." Their saying, "This is one of the unique ones," they said: The feminine form is for emphasis, meaning a cunning person. And they recited:
They counted me as a fox among their enumerations, until they provoked me to one of the unique ones.
This is said of someone whose cunning has no end, and who has no equal in his wickedness.
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This proverb is used to describe someone who has reached the pinnacle of excellence, cunning, or uniqueness, becoming unparalleled. Some of the closest English equivalents are:
“One of a kind.”
Meaning: Unique and without equal.
This is the most common and general equivalent.
“Second to none.”
Meaning: No one precedes him, and he has no equal.
“In a league of his own.”
Meaning: He is in a league of his own.
This is said of someone who clearly surpasses everyone.
“A master of cunning.”
Meaning: Extremely skilled in cunning and deceit.
This is closest to the aspect of cunning and deceit in the proverb.
“There’s no one like him.”
Meaning: No one is like him.
The closest expression that combines the meaning of uniqueness and cunning is:
“He is in a league of his own.”
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قال ابن الأعرابي‏:‏ هذا أبْلَغُ المَدْحِ، قال‏:‏ ويقال ‏"‏إحدى الإحَدِ‏"‏ كما تقول‏:‏ واحد لا نَظِيرَ له، ويقال‏:‏ فلان وَاحدُ الأحَدِينَ، ووَاحِدُ الآحادِ، وقولهم ‏"‏هذا إحْدَى الإحَدِ‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ التأنيث للمبالغة، بمعنى الداهية، وأنشدوا‏:‏

عَدُّونِيَ الثَّعْلَبَ فِيمَا عَدَّدُوا * حَتَّى اسْتَثَارُوا بِيَ إحْدَى الإحَدِ 

يضرب لمن لا نهاية لدهائه، ولا مِثْلَ له في نَكْرَائه‏.‏

A wolf among goats and an ostrich in the test. ذِيبَةُ مِعْزىً وظَلِيمٌ في الْخُبْرِ

The plural of goat is *ma'z*, *ma'iz*, and *mi'za*. The alif in *mi'za* is for the sake of rhyme, like *hijra'*, *hibla'*, and *dirham*. Its diminutive is *mu'iz*. *Al-khubr* is a noun derived from *ikhtibar* (test). The proverb says: He is as cunning as a wolf among goats, and as sly as an ostrich in testing: if told to fly, he says, "I am a camel," and if told to carry, he says, "I am a bird." This proverb is used to describe a deceitful and cunning person.
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The closest English equivalent to this proverb is:
A wolf in sheep's clothing.
This perfectly captures the aspect of cunning and hidden deceit.
And because the Arabic proverb also focuses on changing colors, evading, and dodging according to self-interest, a similar expression is:
He plays both sides.
That is, he changes colors according to what benefits him.
Similarly:
A sly fox.
Or:
He twists to suit the occasion.
For the full meaning—deception, cunning, and evading through trickery—one can say:
A cunning trickster who changes colors when tested.
This is similar to the image of an ostrich that doesn't remain steadfast when tested.
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يقال في جمع الماعز : مَعْز ومَعِيز ومِعْزىً والألف في مِعْزىً للإلحاق بفِعْلَل مثل هِجْرَع وهِبْلَع ودِرْهَم وتصغيرها مُعيز والْخُبْرُ : اسم من الاختبار يقول : هو في الخبث كالذئب وقع في المِعْزَى وفي الاختبار كالظَّليم : إن قيل له " طِرْ " قال : أنا جَمَل وإن قيل له " احْمِلْ " قال : أنا طائر
يضرب للخَلُوب المكَّار

It is but the fox's tail.............. إنما هو ذنب الثعلب

 Hunters say: The fox's cunning lies in its tail; it sways it, and the dogs follow. It is said: More cunning than a fox's tail. This is said of a man who is very cunning.

If you act like a cat, you are about to fall into its trap. "Attacking" is derived from "arrada," meaning activity, and "afrah" means intensity. This is said of someone who is energetic but oblivious to the consequences.

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Some of the closest English equivalents are:

As sly as a fox.

A slippery customer.

A cunning person who is difficult to catch or trust.

To lead someone on a wild goose chase.

To mislead and exhaust people with a false claim.

He's always dodging and weaving.

To throw someone off the scent.

This is very close to the image of the proverb; that is,

He misleads those pursuing him and diverts them from the real trail.

A closer interpretive translation of the proverb is:

He distracts others with tricks and evasions like a fox using its tail to mislead the hounds.

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أصحاب الصيد يقولون: رواغ الثعلب بذنبه يميله فتتبع الكلاب ذنبه. يقال: أروغ من ذنب الثعلب. يضرب، للرجل الكثير الروغان.

إذا اعترضت كاعتراض الهرة

أوشكت أن تسقط في أفـره

اعترض: افتعل من العرض وهو النشاط، والأفرة: الشدة. يضرب، للنشيط يغفل عن العاقبة.

If you are a lizard, then I am its slayer........إن تك ضباً فإني حسله

 This proverb is used when a man encounters someone of equal knowledge and cunning.

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 Some of the closest English equivalents are:

It takes one to know one.

This is the closest and most common; meaning:

"Only someone like him can understand this type of person."

You can't fool me—I know your tricks.

Meaning: "You can't fool me; I know your tricks."

Diamond cuts diamond.

An old proverb meaning:

"Only a cunning person can counter another cunning person."

Set a thief to catch a thief.

Meaning: "Only a thief can catch a thief," sometimes used for someone who knows the methods of their peers.

A closer interpretive translation of the proverb is:

"If you are cunning, I am just as cunning as you are."

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يضرب، في أن يلقى الرجل مثله في العلم والدهاء.

It is a viper, a real snake.......إنه لصل أصلال

  A viper is one that kills instantly if it bites. It is used to describe someone cunning. The poet said:

What a calamity we have suffered from a male snake, a viper that kills instantly if it bites..

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Some of the closest English equivalents are:

A snake in the grass.

Meaning: "A snake in the grass." This is said of someone who is cunning and secretive.

As sly as a serpent.

Meaning: "As cunning as a snake."

A deadly operator.

Meaning: "A very dangerous and cunning person."

He's venomous.

This is used to emphasize malice and wickedness.

To indicate cunning mixed with danger:

A dangerous cunning man.

A more accurate translation of the proverb is:

He is a deadly and cunning man, like a venomous serpent.

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الصل: حية تقتل لساعتها إذا نهشت. يضرب، للداهي. قال الشاعر:

ماذا رزئنا به من حية ذكـر

نضناضة بالمنايا صل أصلا

 

It is a great wonder...... إنه لهتر أهتار

  The wonder: the marvel and the cunning. It is used to describe a cunning and deceitful man. Some say: In the language, wonder is called wonder. So the cunning man is named after it as if time created him and brought him out to people so that they would marvel at him. And wonder is falsehood, so if it is said that so-and-so is wonder, it means that because of his cunning he presents falsehood in the guise of truth, so he is never free from falsehood, so they made him falsehood itself, as in the saying of Al-Khansa: For it is only coming and going. And he added it to his kinds, indicating that he was distinguished from them by a characteristic that made him superior to them, and similar to it is the sound of the sound, and its origin is the snake that is in the sound, which is the dry land.

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Some of the closest English equivalents are:

He’s a real cunning fox.

He’s too clever by half.

Said of someone who is extremely cunning and deceitful.

A master of deceit.

He can make black look white.

This is very close to the meaning mentioned in the explanation; that is, he can make falsehood appear as truth.

To indicate extreme cunning and shrewdness:

He’s one in a million.

If the meaning of wonder and uniqueness is intended.

The closest explanatory translation of the proverb is:

He is extraordinarily cunning, making falsehood appear as truth.Some of the closest English equivalents are:

He’s a real cunning fox.

He’s too clever by half.

Said of someone who is extremely cunning and deceitful.

A master of deceit.

He can make black look white.

This is very close to the meaning mentioned in the explanation; that is, he can make falsehood appear as truth.

To indicate extreme cunning and shrewdness:

He’s one in a million.

If the meaning of wonder and uniqueness is intended.

The closest explanatory translation of the proverb is:

He is extraordinarily cunning, making falsehood appear as truth. 

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الهتر: العجب والداهية. يضرب، للرجل الداهي المنكر. قال بعضهم: الهتر، في اللغة، العجب. فسمي الرجل الداهي به كأن الدهر أبدعه وأبرزه للناس ليعجبوا منه، والهتر الباطل فإذا قيل فلان هتر أي من دهائه يعرض الباطل في معرض الحق فهو لا يخلو أبداً من باطل فجعلوه نفس الباطل كقول الخنساء: فإنما هي إقبال وإدبار وأضافه إلى أجناسه إشارة إلى أنه تميز منهم بخاصية يفضلهم بها ومثله، صل أصلال وأصله الحية تكون في الصلة وهي الأرض اليابسة.