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En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo

The cobbler's children have no shoes

Idioms & Sayings
Notes & Usage:

Literally 'in the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife'. Describes the irony of experts or professionals who lack the very thing they provide to others.

See It in Context

El dentista tiene caries. En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.

The dentist has cavities. The cobbler's children have no shoes.

—¿El informático no tiene ordenador en casa? —En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.

—The IT guy doesn't have a computer at home? —The cobbler's children have no shoes.

El cocinero come fatal. En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo.

The chef eats terribly. The cobbler's children have no shoes.