likay sa baga, sugba sa siga

== Cebuano == === Alternative forms === naglikay sa baga, nasugba sa siga likay sa siga, sugba sa baga === Etymology === A highly visual, cautionary outdoor cooking proverb combining likay (to avoid/evade) + sa (the) + baga (glowing embers/hot coals) + sugba (to grill/roast directly over fire) + sa (the) + siga (blazing flame/open fire). Literally: "Avoiding the glowing embers, only to grill oneself on the blazing flame." === Proverb === likay sa baga, sugba sa siga (proverb, idiomatic)out of the frying pan into the fire; trying to escape a small problem, minor inconvenience, or bad situation only to end up in a much worse, far more catastrophic disaster. A warning against making panicked, short-sighted decisions that lead to self-sabotage or a heavier penalty. ==== Usage notes ==== The proverb relies on the imagery of traditional Visayan firewood cooking. The baga (embers) represent a hot, uncomfortable, but manageable issue. The siga (active flame) represents a volatile, destructive hazard. Evading the manageable problem without looking ahead guarantees complete destruction. Speakers frequently swap the positions of baga and siga (e.g., likay sa siga, sugba sa baga). Regardless of which fire element comes first, the cultural meaning remains completely unchanged: escaping one hazard only to be consumed by another. It is often paired with the imagery of a thrashing catfish out of water. The fish wriggles violently to jump away from the hot coals, only to land directly into the roaring bonfire. ==== Related terms ==== likay (verb; to avoid, dodge, evade) baga (noun; glowing embers, live coals) sugba (verb; to charcoal-grill, to roast over fire) siga (noun/verb; flame, blaze; to light up) tagam (verb/interjection; to learn a lesson the hard way; "let that be a lesson to you!")