B2 Idiom خنثی

يأكل على مائدة الجميع

ya'kul ala ma'idat al-jami'

Eat at everyone's table

معنی

To be a hanger-on or parasite, benefiting from others without contributing.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In the Levant, this phrase is often used with a specific sneer to describe 'Wajaha' (social status seekers) who attend every funeral and wedding just to be seen with powerful people. Egyptians often use the variation 'بيلعب على كل الحبال' (playing on all ropes) alongside this idiom. It's very common in political satire and movies from the 1960s-90s. In Gulf societies, where 'Majlis' culture is strong, this idiom is a severe insult. It implies a violation of the 'Suna' (tradition) of guest-host loyalty. In Morocco and Tunisia, the concept of 'Tma' (greed/opportunism) is linked to this idiom. It describes someone who 'follows the smell of the broth' (يتبع ريحة المرقة).

💡

Context is King

Only use this when you want to criticize someone. If you use it for a friend who is just popular, they might get offended!

⚠️

Preposition Alert

Always use 'على' ('ala). Using 'في' (fi) is a classic giveaway that you are translating literally from English.

معنی

To be a hanger-on or parasite, benefiting from others without contributing.

💡

Context is King

Only use this when you want to criticize someone. If you use it for a friend who is just popular, they might get offended!

⚠️

Preposition Alert

Always use 'على' ('ala). Using 'في' (fi) is a classic giveaway that you are translating literally from English.

🎯

Gender Conjugation

Don't forget to change 'Ya'kul' to 'Ta'kul' if you are talking about a woman. The rest of the phrase remains the same.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct words.

لا تثق بسامي، فهو دائماً يأكل على _______ الجميع.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: مائدة

The idiom specifically uses 'مائدة' (Ma'ida) to denote the dining table of hospitality.

What does the phrase 'يأكل على مائدة الجميع' imply about a person?

ماذا يعني هذا التعبير عن الشخص؟

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: أنه شخص انتهازي ومنافق

The idiom describes an opportunist and a hypocrite, not someone who is generous or just hungry.

Choose the best response to complete the dialogue.

أحمد: هل سمعت؟ خالد انضم للحزب المعارض بعد أن كان مع الحكومة! سارة: ليس غريباً عليه، فهو _______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: يأكل على مائدة الجميع

The context of switching political sides for benefit perfectly fits the idiom.

Match the situation to the idiom's usage.

أي موقف يناسبه تعبير 'يأكل على مائدة الجميع'؟

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: موظف ينقل أسرار زملائه للمدير ليحصل على علاوة

This situation involves exploiting social/professional trust for personal gain, which is the core of the idiom.

Match the Arabic idiom with its English equivalent concept.

Match the following:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The primary match is with 'Opportunist'.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

5 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct words. جای خالی B1

لا تثق بسامي، فهو دائماً يأكل على _______ الجميع.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: مائدة

The idiom specifically uses 'مائدة' (Ma'ida) to denote the dining table of hospitality.

What does the phrase 'يأكل على مائدة الجميع' imply about a person? Choose B2

ماذا يعني هذا التعبير عن الشخص؟

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: أنه شخص انتهازي ومنافق

The idiom describes an opportunist and a hypocrite, not someone who is generous or just hungry.

Choose the best response to complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B2

أحمد: هل سمعت؟ خالد انضم للحزب المعارض بعد أن كان مع الحكومة! سارة: ليس غريباً عليه، فهو _______.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: يأكل على مائدة الجميع

The context of switching political sides for benefit perfectly fits the idiom.

Match the situation to the idiom's usage. situation_matching B2

أي موقف يناسبه تعبير 'يأكل على مائدة الجميع'؟

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: موظف ينقل أسرار زملائه للمدير ليحصل على علاوة

This situation involves exploiting social/professional trust for personal gain, which is the core of the idiom.

Match the Arabic idiom with its English equivalent concept. Match B1

هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The primary match is with 'Opportunist'.

🎉 امتیاز: /5

سوالات متداول

5 سوال

Yes, it is generally considered a moderate to strong social insult. It implies the person is untrustworthy and parasitic.

No, it is too idiomatic and critical for a direct email. Use 'انتهازي' (opportunistic) instead for a more formal tone.

Almost never. In 99% of cases, it refers to social, political, or financial benefits.

You would change the verb: 'يأكلون على مائدة الجميع' (They eat at everyone's table).

Not really. Being 'at everyone's table' in Arabic culture implies a lack of a 'home' or 'base' of your own, which is viewed negatively.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

يلعب على الحبلين

synonym

To play on both ropes (sides).

🔗

يأكل مع الذئب ويبكي مع الراعي

similar

He eats with the wolf and cries with the shepherd.

🔗

صاحب بالين كذاب

related

A person with two interests is a liar.

🔗

ابن مصلحته

similar

A son of his own interest.

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