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Explaining “If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas”
Anwar Kareem Yesterday, 21:07English.me team member
What does it mean?
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.
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