Meaning
To be a hanger-on or parasite, benefiting from others without contributing.
Cultural Background
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.
Meaning
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.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
لا تثق بسامي، فهو دائماً يأكل على _______ الجميع.
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؟
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 _______.
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'؟
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:
The primary match is with 'Opportunist'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesلا تثق بسامي، فهو دائماً يأكل على _______ الجميع.
The idiom specifically uses 'مائدة' (Ma'ida) to denote the dining table of hospitality.
ماذا يعني هذا التعبير عن الشخص؟
The idiom describes an opportunist and a hypocrite, not someone who is generous or just hungry.
أحمد: هل سمعت؟ خالد انضم للحزب المعارض بعد أن كان مع الحكومة! سارة: ليس غريباً عليه، فهو _______.
The context of switching political sides for benefit perfectly fits the idiom.
أي موقف يناسبه تعبير 'يأكل على مائدة الجميع'؟
This situation involves exploiting social/professional trust for personal gain, which is the core of the idiom.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The primary match is with 'Opportunist'.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, 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.
Related Phrases
يلعب على الحبلين
synonymTo play on both ropes (sides).
يأكل مع الذئب ويبكي مع الراعي
similarHe eats with the wolf and cries with the shepherd.
صاحب بالين كذاب
relatedA person with two interests is a liar.
ابن مصلحته
similarA son of his own interest.
