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  What it means

  “Whoever digs pits under someone else, that very person falls into them.” A variant of the same proverb with ’ten sam’ (that very one) for added emphasis. Scheming against others rebounds on the schemer.

  English equivalent

  He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.

  Vocabulary

  • dołek — pit, small hole
  • kopać — to dig
  • ten sam — that very one, the same person
  • wpadać — to fall into

  Grammar note

  'Ten sam' reinforces the subject — 'that very person'. Compare with the variant without 'ten'.

  Cultural context

  Two variants of this proverb circulate; both are equally common.

  Intermediate

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