APAD: He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon

He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon

‘He who sups with the Devil should have a long spoon’ is a medieval idiom that Shakespeare refers to twice in his plays.

Its literal meaning is that if you get involved with the Devil you should have the means of keeping your distance. Metaphorically, eating with the Devil is dangerous and you should do it with a long spoon so that you don’t get too close.

It’s a lovely idiom and so true – that if you begin to get involved with bad things you will most likely be drawn in, so if you have to deal with bad people you should keep your distance – be very careful not to be drawn into their bad projects. It’s a wonderful image of someone sitting far away from their sinister eating companion, making sure they don’t get too close by, using a long spoon to take their food. Sharing a meal with someone usually means you are already on quite good terms with them or that you want to get to know them better. If you agree to partake of the Devil’s hospitality, you are on dangerous ground and need to beware.

所有跟帖： 

• One-eyed man is the minion -移花接木- ♂ (11583 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 03:52:25

• Hahaha. This is lovely ～～ -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 07:43:03

• +100086! -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:59:36

• 坐等the king 来表示不服。哈哈哈 -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (483 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:17:31

• 哈哈哈，这脑回路！：）But I think the minion mimiced the “The Cyclops” -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:45:57

• the One-Eyed Monster of Greek Mythology～：） -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:46:26

• Polyphemus, to be specific :-) -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:59:15

• Then there's Polyphemus moth, for which I'll keep an eye out -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:00:59

• 哈哈，博览群书啊：）我好不容易知道点儿：） -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 13:23:21

• Try translating, 立马晕菜 :-) -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 14:34:43

• poly is adopted by English,but meaning multi- -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 16:02:11

• Do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 07:45:32

• sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (16 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 07:46:56

• Amen -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:06:01

• But his delight is in the law of the Lord. -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:03:25

• Thx for the wise warning, would these sticks also work? ;-) -最西边的岛上- ♀ (250 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:09:12

• Hahaha. You are hilarious ～～ -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:10:57

• if u can't beat'em join them -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:19:50

• We can't beat increase of bank fees,so we bought theirStocks -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 10:49:20

• Just joking. Stay away from the devil, period. -最西边的岛上- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 15:18:52

• 哈哈，聪明！ -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 13:24:07

• Then don't eat with the devil：） -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:44:27

• It's harder with the devils within. -7grizzly- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 08:56:17

• 君子不立危墙之下 -方外居士- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:33:07

• 翻译得到位！ -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:35:14

• I don't think the long spoon is of any help. having a -移花接木- ♂ (78 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:53:16

• Good point. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 09:55:39

• 哈哈，想起idiom“ you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours” -妖妖灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 13:25:28

• there is no blind spot on my back, 100% reachable -移花接木- ♂ (0 bytes) () 02/15/2024 postreply 14:28:03