Overall, the phrase “not my circus, not my monkeys” is useful when expressing that someone does not want to be responsible for something or wants no involvement in a situation. What Is a Useful Way To Illustrate the Phrase –‘Not My Circus?’ It’s better to hold a sparrow in the hand than to have a pigeon on the roof.’’ This would mean that it’s better to hold on to something safe (something you can obtain easily), than just to wish for something uncertain. He replied, “Yeah! So, you know exactly how much this matters to me right now!” What Are the Possible Pros and Cons?

Who digs holes underneath someone else, will fall into them himself’’. Now this is a sorry translation but it means to refrain from wishing anyone else wrong. When it comes to the saying “not my circus, not my monkeys,” there are pros and cons to consider. On the one hand, this approach is seen as avoiding involvement in things that are not your own and that you cannot control. But on the other hand, this avoidance can be helpful in terms of maintaining peace of mind and avoiding stress. Recently, you could also hear the no-negation version of the proverb, saying: ‘’My circus, my monkeys’’, meaning that you are the only one who has to worry about it, or that you should take the responsibility for certain actions. Other Famous Polish Proverbs

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If you are interested in proverbs, here are some of the most used ones for you to get to know , a combination of older and more modern ones, as there are hundreds to choose from! Another similar take on this phrase is “nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy” in Polish, which literally translates to “not my circus, not my monkeys.” It has a specific meaning and a slightly different emphasis than what is commonly known. People use it to express frustration when someone does not take advice or when their attempt to remedy a problem fails. Essentially, it means “not my problem” with a hint of, “I told you so.” Examples of Everyday Use I told her I was deeply sorry and that this was unacceptable from a veteran server like me. I demanded she take whatever amount the transgression merited out of my tip.” Also, people use this phrase to dismiss someone’s concerns. For example, suppose someone is talking to you about a problem they are having. In that case, you might say “not my circus, not my monkeys” to show that you have no interest in their issue. Some believe that Poland is the source of this catchy phrase. The saying is supposedly from a Polish proverb that goes, “Nie moje krowy, nie moje konie,” which translates to “It’s not my cows, it’s not my horses.” People initially used this proverb to describe themselves as not being responsible for caring for animals on their property. However, over time people started using the phrase to distance themselves from situations they deemed out of their control.

You can also use this phrase to avoid involving yourself in a situation. For example, suppose you see two people fighting on the street. In that case, you might say, “not my circus, not my monkeys,” to avoid involving yourself in their altercation.You can apply the saying “ not my circus, not my monkeys” in many everyday scenarios like those below. I was a server for a few years, and one of my favorite sayings was, “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” It’s a great way to detach yourself from the drama that goes with restaurant life. I’ve used it to describe everything from customers angry about their food to co-workers gossiping about each other. Now ‘’I was made into a horse’’ sounds hilarious, but it means that someone has made a fool out of you.