do not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
It is best not to criticize or oppose someone in their own territory.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “do not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope” mean?
It is best not to criticize or oppose someone in their own territory.
Is “do not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.