“Don't spit into the well — you will have to drink the water.”

Не плюй у криницю — доведеться води напитися. Ne plyuy u krynytsyu — dovedetsia vody napytysia

🤨 What does it ACTUALLY mean? →

🇬🇧 What you'd actually say

“Don't burn bridges you might need later.”

also: “Be careful how you leave — you may come back.” · “Don't ruin it, you might need it again.”

📖 Meaning: Don't damage a relationship or place you may have to return to.
💡 Why it's funny: English burns a bridge and walks away. Ukrainian makes you come back later and drink it.
🧭 Closest English idiom: “Don't burn your bridges.”
📝 Explanation: Said to someone quitting loudly, insulting a former employer, or falling out with a relative. One of the most practically useful proverbs in the language.

🧠 Learn

burn your bridges (idiom) — to destroy a relationship so you cannot go back — спалити мости “Don't burn your bridges with that agency.”
fall out with (phrase) — to stop being friendly with someone after an argument — посваритися “They fell out with their neighbours.”

🗣 In context

Йдеш — іди спокійно. Не плюй у криницю.

If you're leaving, leave quietly. Don't burn bridges you might need later.

🎧 Hear the contrast

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Questions people ask

What does “Don't spit into the well — you will have to drink the water.” mean?

Don't damage a relationship or place you may have to return to.

How do you say «Не плюй у криницю — доведеться води напитися.» in English?

Naturally: “Don't burn bridges you might need later.”. The closest English idiom is “Don't burn your bridges.”.