Camel's nose in the tent
Meaning
A seemingly small concession that, once granted, will inevitably lead to larger, unwanted intrusions or demands.
Origin
The vivid imagery of the "camel's nose in the tent" springs from an ancient Middle Eastern fable, a cautionary tale passed down through generations. In the story, a man huddles in his tent on a freezing night when his camel, shivering outside, meekly requests permission to just warm its nose inside. Sympathetic, the man agrees. Soon, the camel asks to bring its head in, then its shoulders, until the man finds himself unceremoniously pushed out into the cold by the very beast he sought to comfort. The fable serves as a potent warning against granting even the smallest concession, lest it escalate into a complete and unwelcome takeover.
Examples
- Our manager warned against allowing small deviations from the project plan, reminding us that it could be a camel's nose in the tent for complete chaos.
- Allowing free access to basic services might be a camel's nose in the tent for demands for completely free universal healthcare.