Don't 'Bite the Hand That Feeds You'
2020-06-28
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1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
2Relationships between people can be complex.
3So, to help there are some good rules to follow.
4For example, when dealing with people at work or with a friend, it is usually a good idea to stay calm and be easygoing.
5Personal or working relationships can be damaged if you shout at other people or get angry with someone.
6This is especially true if that certain "someone" helps you in a meaningful way - like making sure you get paid!
7To describe that situation, the English language has a very useful expression: to bite the hand that feeds you.
8This phrase means that you act badly toward the person who is helping or has helped you.
9When you bite the hand that feeds you, you are being unthankful, ungrateful, unappreciative.
10And that is a lot of "un" words.
11In other words, you turn against, attack, and even harm someone who is helping you.
12We often use this expression as a word of advice -- as in don't bite or you should not bite the hand that feeds you.
13Now let's use it in an example.
14Let's say someone comes to your place of business and wants to buy something from you or even offer you a chance at a new job.
15But you, in return, are rude to that person.
16In that case, I could say to you: "You should not bite the hand that feeds you."
17This expression can also mean to turn against someone who helped you in the past.
18Used this way, you do not show respect for someone who has been there for you.
19Some people say this phrase goes all the way back to ancient Greece.
20The poet Sappho was said to have used it over 2,600 years ago.
21Other experts claim that one of Aesop's Fables, called "The Gardener and His Dog," shows an example of this expression.
22The story goes something like this: A gardener's dog was playing in a garden near a well and then fell in.
23The owner ran to help.
24He reached his hand into the well to pull out his dog.
25But as the man did this - the dog bit him on the hand!
26"What very ungrateful behavior! I only came to help!" said the gardener.
27So, he left the dog and walked away.
28The dog bit that hand that fed him.
29 And that was a big mistake.
30Here is another example.
31Let's say I am working as an interior designer.
32I go into people's homes and decide how to improve them.
33I choose everything from wall paint and floorings to artwork, tables, and chairs.
34Now, because I own my own business, my clients are very important to me.
35They are my 'bread and butter,' meaning my earnings are based on the money they pay me.
36If my clients are happy with my work, they will tell other people.
37And that word-of-mouth business means more work and more money for me.
38But there is a problem: I have a difficult client.
39He is always changing his mind about design decisions and does not communicate well.
40So, small issues often become big problems.
41What should I do? On one hand, I could tell him to find another interior designer.
42On the other hand, I could just find a way to work with him.
43If the economy is weak, it may not be a good idea to lose a client, even a difficult one.
44I decide to not bite the hand that feeds me and put up with the difficult client.
45If the economy improves, then I can show him the door!
46And that's our show for today.
47Try using this expression.
48 Have you ever bitten the hand that fed you or perhaps someone bit your hand?
49Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. 2Relationships between people can be complex. So, to help there are some good rules to follow. For example, when dealing with people at work or with a friend, it is usually a good idea to stay calm and be easygoing. 3Personal or working relationships can be damaged if you shout at other people or get angry with someone. This is especially true if that certain "someone" helps you in a meaningful way - like making sure you get paid! 4To describe that situation, the English language has a very useful expression: to bite the hand that feeds you. 5This phrase means that you act badly toward the person who is helping or has helped you. When you bite the hand that feeds you, you are being unthankful, ungrateful, unappreciative. And that is a lot of "un" words. In other words, you turn against, attack, and even harm someone who is helping you. 6We often use this expression as a word of advice -- as in don't bite or you should not bite the hand that feeds you. 7Now let's use it in an example. 8Let's say someone comes to your place of business and wants to buy something from you or even offer you a chance at a new job. But you, in return, are rude to that person. In that case, I could say to you: "You should not bite the hand that feeds you." 9This expression can also mean to turn against someone who helped you in the past. Used this way, you do not show respect for someone who has been there for you. 10Some people say this phrase goes all the way back to ancient Greece. The poet Sappho was said to have used it over 2,600 years ago. 11Other experts claim that one of Aesop's Fables, called "The Gardener and His Dog," shows an example of this expression. 12The story goes something like this: A gardener's dog was playing in a garden near a well and then fell in. The owner ran to help. He reached his hand into the well to pull out his dog. But as the man did this - the dog bit him on the hand! 13"What very ungrateful behavior! I only came to help!" said the gardener. So, he left the dog and walked away. 14The dog bit that hand that fed him. And that was a big mistake. 15Here is another example. 16Let's say I am working as an interior designer. I go into people's homes and decide how to improve them. I choose everything from wall paint and floorings to artwork, tables, and chairs. 17Now, because I own my own business, my clients are very important to me. They are my 'bread and butter,' meaning my earnings are based on the money they pay me. If my clients are happy with my work, they will tell other people. And that word-of-mouth business means more work and more money for me. 18But there is a problem: I have a difficult client. He is always changing his mind about design decisions and does not communicate well. So, small issues often become big problems. 19What should I do? On one hand, I could tell him to find another interior designer. On the other hand, I could just find a way to work with him. If the economy is weak, it may not be a good idea to lose a client, even a difficult one. I decide to not bite the hand that feeds me and put up with the difficult client. If the economy improves, then I can show him the door! 20And that's our show for today. Try using this expression. Have you ever bitten the hand that fed you or perhaps someone bit your hand? 21Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 22____________________________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24ungrateful - adj. not feeling or showing thanks for favors, help, gifts, etc. 25unappreciative - adj. not giving recognition or thanks for something 26rude - adj. not having or showing concern or respect for the rights and feelings of other people : not polite 27gardener - n. one who spends time cultivating plants and tending a garden for pleasure or recreation 28client - n. a person who uses the professional advice or services of another 29word-of-mouth - adj. oral communication 30show someone the door - slang expression to rid of someone quickly and without concern