Meaning of the word "set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride straight to the devil" in English
What does "set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride straight to the devil" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.
set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride straight to the devil
US /sɛt ə ˈbɛɡər ɑn ˈhɔrsˌbæk, ænd hi wɪl raɪd streɪt tu ðə ˈdɛvəl/
UK /sɛt ə ˈbɛɡər ɒn ˈhɔːs.bæk, ænd hiː wɪl raɪd streɪt tuː ðə ˈdɛv.əl/
Idiom
a proverb suggesting that when a person who was previously poor or of low status suddenly gains wealth or power, they will likely become arrogant, corrupt, or act recklessly
Example:
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As soon as he got the promotion, he started treating his old friends with contempt; it's a case of set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride straight to the devil.
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The lottery winner spent all his money on vanity projects within a year; set a beggar on horseback, and he will ride straight to the devil.