forget one's roots; bite the hand that feeds one
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to forget one's origins or the source of one's success after one's circumstances improve; to bite the hand that feeds one
Strongly negative connotation. Used to criticize someone who becomes successful and then disregards the people, community, or principles that helped them succeed. Often used in the context of wealth, fame, or social climbing.
Zuò做
rén人
bù不
néng能
wàng忘
běn本
。
One must never forget one's roots.
Tā他
fā发
dá达
yǐ以
hòu后
jiù就
wàng忘
běn本
le了
，
lián连
lǎo老
péng朋
you友
dōu都
bù不
lǐ理
。
After he got rich, he forgot his roots and wouldn't even acknowledge his old friends.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
Chéng成
gōng功
zhī之
hòu后
bié别
wàng忘
le了
shì是
shuí谁
bāng帮
guò过
nǐ你
，
bù不
yào要
wàng忘
běn本
。
After succeeding, don't forget who helped you—don't bite the hand that fed you.
Zhè这
wèi位
qǐ企
yè业
jiā家
zhì致
fù富
hòu后
bù不
wàng忘
běn本
，
jī积
jí极
huí回
bào报
jiā家
xiāng乡
。
This entrepreneur did not forget his roots after getting rich, and actively gave back to his hometown.
Wàng忘
běn本
de的
rén人
zuì最
zhōng终
huì会
shī失
qù去
suǒ所
yǒu有
péng朋
you友
。
Those who forget their roots will eventually lose all their friends.