en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 21/11/2024, 21:07
English.me team member

What does it mean?

If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas

The phrase means that if you associate with dishonest or immoral people, you will suffer negative consequences or be corrupted by their behavior.

Tone

Cautionary

Origin

The proverb is likely originated in the 16th century. This period was a time when the experience of dealing with fleas was common. The expression first appeared in print in the English writer James Sanford's "Garden of Pleasure" in 1573.

Examples of usage

  • Be careful hanging out with them; if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.
  • She realized too late that by joining the corrupt board, she'd end up with serious legal implications — if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.
  • After years of associating with shady characters, he finally understood that if you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

Recommended posts in Phrases

Count your blessings

Count your blessings

The phrase "Count your blessings" means to focus on and ... Learn more →

Give him an inch and he will take a mile

Give him an inch and he will take a mile

This phrase means that if you give someone a small ... Learn more →

Money does not grow on trees

Money does not grow on trees

The phrase means that money is not easy to come ... Learn more →

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

The phrase "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" ... Learn more →