When the Two Bulls Fight, It Is the Grass That Suffers – बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें

The idiom “When the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers” speaks to the consequences that the weaker party often faces when two powerful forces or individuals engage in a conflict. It reflects the harmful effect that a struggle between two strong entities can have on those who are caught in the middle. In this case, the grass, symbolizing the innocent bystanders or those not directly involved in the dispute, ends up suffering the most.

✔ Meaning:
The idiom suggests that when two powerful individuals or entities fight, the collateral damage is often borne by the innocent or weaker parties who are not involved in the dispute. It illustrates how the power struggle between two strong people or groups can have negative consequences on those who are caught in the middle. In a conflict, it’s often the vulnerable or less powerful who bear the brunt of the damage. The idiom is often used to convey how unintended consequences affect those who have little or no stake in the fight.

✔ Used When:

• Describing a situation where two powerful forces are in conflict, and the innocent or weaker parties end up being negatively impacted.
• Commenting on political disputes, family conflicts, or corporate battles, where the common people or employees suffer due to the disagreements of the powerful.
• Explaining how arguments or power struggles between two strong individuals or groups can have a devastating effect on those who are unaware or unconcerned about the fight.

✔ Implied Message:
This idiom carries a strong moral lesson about the impact of conflict. It emphasizes that while the stronger parties in a conflict may be able to recover or emerge victorious, it is often the weaker and innocent who suffer the most. It’s a reminder that disputes and quarrels between the powerful often have widespread consequences that can cause harm to the innocent bystanders who have no role in the fight.

Hindi Equivalent:
“बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें”
The Hindi equivalent of this idiom reflects the same idea that when two strong people or groups are at odds, it is the weaker or innocent parties who bear the consequences. The “बड़े लड़ें” (strong fight) and “छोटे पिसें” (the small suffer) emphasize the unequal consequences of a power struggle.

🧠 Detailed Explanation
The idiom “When the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers” is a metaphor for a situation where two strong individuals, groups, or entities engage in a conflict, and the innocent bystanders or those not involved in the conflict end up paying the price. The bulls represent the powerful forces, while the grass represents the vulnerable or innocent parties. Just as in nature, when bulls fight, the grass beneath them gets trampled, the same way, when the powerful clash, the weaker, often unnoticed people or things suffer.

For example, in a corporate dispute, when two top executives are fighting for control, it is the employees who may face the consequences in the form of layoffs, stress, or uncertainty. Similarly, in political conflicts, the common people often suffer the most because they are the ones who bear the repercussions of decisions made by those in power.

This idiom also speaks to the unintended consequences of conflicts. The bulls, or powerful figures, are often focused on their own interests and desires, oblivious to the damage caused to the bystanders. The grass suffers silently, just as the innocent parties are affected without any fault of their own.

Example Sentences:
English: “The ongoing war between the two political parties has caused a lot of harm to the people, showing how when the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers.“
Hindi: “दो राजनीतिक दलों के बीच चल रही लड़ाई ने लोगों को काफी नुकसान पहुँचाया, यह साबित करता है कि बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें।“

English: “The conflict between the two big companies has had a negative effect on the smaller businesses, proving that when the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers.“
Hindi: “दो बड़ी कंपनियों के बीच का विवाद छोटे व्यवसायों पर नकारात्मक प्रभाव डाल रहा है, यह साबित करता है कि बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें।“

Key Takeaways:

• The idiom “When the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers” emphasizes the collateral damage caused by conflicts between powerful entities.
• It reminds us of the unintended consequences that affect the vulnerable or innocent parties who have no involvement in the fight.
• The idiom is often used to reflect on real-world situations where the common people or employees suffer due to disputes between those in power, whether in politics, business, or even families.
• It calls for awareness and compassion, encouraging those in power to be mindful of the consequences their actions might have on others.

✔ Origin of the Idiom:
This idiom is rooted in the natural world, where bulls, which are large and powerful animals, often engage in violent battles. The grass, on the other hand, is a passive bystander caught underfoot. In the same way, when powerful forces fight, the weaker entities, like the grass, are trampled and suffer, even though they have no part in the struggle. This natural metaphor has been adopted into language to describe the human condition and the effects of power struggles.

✔ Real-World Examples:

In Personal Life:
English: “The argument between the two leaders is causing distress to the families involved, showing that when the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers.“
Hindi: “दो नेताओं के बीच बहस से उन परिवारों को परेशानी हो रही है, यह दिखाता है कि बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें।“

In the Workplace:
English: “The rivalry between the two senior managers is affecting the whole team, as it is the employees who are caught in the crossfire, proving that when the two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers.“
Hindi: “दो वरिष्ठ प्रबंधकों के बीच प्रतिस्पर्धा पूरे टीम को प्रभावित कर रही है, क्योंकि कर्मचारी क्रॉसफायर में फंसे हैं, यह साबित करता है कि बड़े लड़ें, छोटे पिसें।“

When to Use the Idiom:

• To describe the negative impact that a conflict between two strong forces can have on the innocent or weak parties involved.
• When discussing situations where unintended consequences affect those who are not directly involved in a dispute or conflict.
• To reflect on real-life situations where political, business, or personal disputes result in harm to those who are caught in the middle.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever witnessed a situation where the innocent suffered because of a conflict between two powerful individuals or groups?
• Do you think this idiom holds true in modern-day politics or business? Why?
• How can we minimize the collateral damage caused by conflicts between powerful parties?

🔁 Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
The strong get stronger, the weak get weaker	जो मजबूत है, वह और मजबूत होता है, जो कमजोर है, वह और कमजोर होता है
Fight between elephants, grass gets crushed	हाथी की लड़ाई में घास पिसती है
The bigger they are, the harder they fall	जितना बड़ा वह होगा, गिरना उतना मुश्किल होगा