Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein

/veːɐ̯ ˈʔandɐnən ˈaɪ̯nə ˈɡʁuːbə ˈɡʁɛːpt ˈfɛlt zɛlpst hɪnˈaɪ̯n/◆proverb

those who dig pits for others fall into them themselves

Der Betrüger wollte andere hereinlegen, aber am Ende fiel er selbst in seine eigene Falle.

The swindler wanted to trick others, but in the end, he fell into his own trap.

◆ What It Really Means

A warning that harmful actions intended for others often backfire on the perpetrator, emphasizing the consequences of deceit or malice.

¶ Literal Meaning

Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it themselves.

Literal Breakdown

WerWho+anderenothers+eine Grubea pit+gräbtdigs+fälltfalls+selbstthemselves+hineininto it

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of someone digging a pit (trap) for others, only to fall into it themselves, symbolizing the self-inflicted consequences of harmful actions.

◈ When to Use

A person who spreads rumors about a colleague ends up being the one who loses their job when the truth comes out.

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb reflects the German cultural value of fairness and the belief in karma or poetic justice, where actions have inevitable consequences.

formal

A warning that harmful actions intended for others often backfire on the perpetrator, emphasizing the consequences of deceit or malice.

Sie versuchte, ihren Kollegen zu sabotieren, aber am Ende wurde sie selbst entlassen.

She tried to sabotage her colleague, but in the end, she was the one fired.

This proverb is often used to caution against harmful behavior and to highlight the inevitability of karma or poetic justice.

Synonyms

Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es heraus Was du nicht willst, das man dir tut, das füg auch keinem anderen zu

What you send out comes back to you

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This proverb is often used in moral or ethical discussions to emphasize the consequences of one's actions.

Word Origin

This proverb originates from German folklore and reflects the moral principle that one's actions will eventually return to them, whether good or bad.

Usage Notes

This proverb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to warn against harmful intentions or to point out the consequences of someone's actions.

Word Breakdown

Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt

Who digs a pit for others

phrase

fällt selbst hinein

falls into it themselves